Proverbs 26
1 AS snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.
As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honor is not seemly for a fool.
2 As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.
As the sparrow in her wandering, as the swallow in her flying, so the curse that is causeless does not alight.
3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back.
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools.
4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like to him.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.
He who sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off the feet, and drinks injury.
7 The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
The legs of a lame man hang loose. So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
8 As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
As he who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honor to a fool.
9 As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
As a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
10 The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.
As an archer who wounds all, so is he who hires a fool, and he who hires those who pass by.
11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.
As a dog who returns to his vomit, is a fool who repeats his folly.
12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
See thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope for a fool than of him.
13 The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
The sluggard says, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
14 As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
The door turns upon its hinges, so does the sluggard upon his bed.
15 The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.
The sluggard buries his hand in the dish. It wearies him to bring it again to his mouth.
16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men who can render a reason.
17 He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
He who passes by, and meddles with strife not his, is like he who takes a dog by the ears.
18 As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
As a madman who casts firebrands, arrows, and death,
19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
so is the man who deceives his neighbor, and says, Am I not in sport?
20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, contention ceases.
21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to inflame strife.
22 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts.
23 Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
Fervent lips and a wicked heart are an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.
24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
He who hates masquerades with his lips, but he lays up deceit within him.
25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
When he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.
Though his hatred cover itself with guile, his wickedness shall be openly shown before the assembly.
27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
He who digs a pit shall fall in it, and he who rolls a stone, it shall return upon him.
28 A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
A lying tongue hates those whom it has wounded, and a flattering mouth works ruin.
