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 becoming to a fool.
2 As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.
As the sparrow wandereth, and the swallow flieth away, So the curse without cause shall not come.
3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, 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 the fool.
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 become 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 cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage, Who sendeth a message by the hand of a fool.
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 it with 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 bindeth a stone in a sling, So is he that giveth 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 lifted up by 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 woundeth every one, So is he who hireth fools and hireth wayfarers.
11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.
As a dog returneth to that which he hath vomited, 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.
Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? 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 slothful man saith, “There is a lion in the way; There is a lion in the streets.”
14 As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
As a door turneth upon its hinges, So doth 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 dippeth his hand into the dish; It grieveth 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.
As one that taketh a dog by the ears, So is he who, passing by, is enraged on account of the quarrel of another.
18 As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
As a madman That casteth about darts, arrows, and death,
19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
So is the man who deceiveth his neighbor, And saith, “Was I not in sport?”
20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
Where there is no wood, the fire goeth out; So, where there is no talebearer, contention ceaseth.
21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
As coal is for heat, and as wood for fire, So is a contentious man for kindling 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 like dainties; For they go down to the innermost parts of the body.
23 Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
As drossy silver spread over an earthen vessel, So are warm lips and an evil heart.
24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
The hater dissembleth with his lips, And layeth up deceit within him.
25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
When he speaketh fair, 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.
His hatred is covered by deceit; His wickedness shall be revealed in the great 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 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 whom it woundeth, And a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
