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 rain in harvest, so glory 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 a bird flying to other places, and a sparrow going here or there: so a curse uttered without cause shall come upon a man.
3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back.
A whip for a horse, and a snaffle for an 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 be made like 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 imagine himself to be wise.
6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.
He that sendeth words by a foolish messenger, is lame of feet and drinketh iniquity.
7 The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
As a lame man hath fair legs in vain: so a parable is unseemly 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 that casteth a stone into the heap of Mercury: 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 if a thorn should grow in the hand of a drunkard: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
10 The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.
Judgment determineth causes: and he that putteth a fool to silence, appeaseth anger.
11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.
As a dog that returneth to his vomit, so is the fool that 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 conceit? there shall be 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 slothful man saith: There is a lion in the way, and a lioness in the roads.
14 As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
As the door turneth upon its hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
15 The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.
The slothful hideth his hand under his armpit, and it grieveth him to turn it 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 that speak sentences.
17 He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
As he that taketh a dog by the ears, so is he that passeth by in anger, and meddleth with another man’s quarrel.
18 As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
As he is guilty that shooteth arrows, and lances unto death:
19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
So is the man that hurteth his friend deceitfully: and when he is taken, saith: I did it in jest.
20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
When the wood faileth, the fire shall go out: and when the talebearer is taken away, contentions shall cease.
21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire, so an angry man stirreth up 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 it were simple, but they reach to the innermost parts of the belly.
23 Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
Swelling lips joined with a corrupt heart, are like an earthen vessel adorned with silver dross.
24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
An enemy is known by his lips, when in his heart he entertaineth deceit.
25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
When he shall speak low, trust him not: because there are seven mischiefs in his heart.
26 Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.
He that covereth hatred deceitfully, his malice shall be laid open in the public assembly.
27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
He that diggeth a pit, shall fall into it: and he that rolleth a stone, it shall return to him.
28 A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
A deceitful tongue loveth not truth: and a slippery mouth worketh ruin.
