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 honour beseemeth not a fool.
2 As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.
As the sparrow for flitting about, as the swallow for flying, so a curse undeserved shall not come.
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 ass, 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 unto 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 eyes.
6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.
He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off [his own] feet, [and] drinketh damage.
7 The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
The legs of the lame 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 a bag of gems in a stoneheap, so is he that giveth honour 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 goeth 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.
A master roughly worketh every one: he both hireth the fool and hireth passers-by.
11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.
As a dog turneth back to its vomit, [so] a fool repeateth his folly.
12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
Hast thou seen a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope of 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 saith, There is a fierce lion in the way; a lion is in the midst of the streets!
14 As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
[As] the door turneth upon its hinges, so 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 burieth his hand in the dish: it wearieth 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.
A sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven [men] that answer discreetly.
17 He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
He that passing by vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him, is [like] one that taketh a dog by the ears.
18 As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
As a madman who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
so is a man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am I not in sport?
20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
Where no wood is, the fire goeth out; and where there is no talebearer, the contention ceaseth.
21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
[As] coals for hot coals, and wood for 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 talebearer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
23 Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
Ardent lips, and a wicked heart, are [as] an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.
24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, but he layeth up deceit within him:
25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
when his voice is gracious, 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 is covered by dissimulation, his wickedness shall be made manifest in the congregation.
27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein; and he that rolleth 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 hateth those that are injured by it, and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
