Proverbs 26
1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not suitable for a fool.
As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour 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 wandering sparrow, as the flying swallow, so the curse that is causeless shall come home.
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 you 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 sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off the feet, and drinks 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 hang limp from the lame; so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
8 As he that binds a stone in a sling, so is he that gives honour to a fool.
As a small stone in a heap of stones, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
9 As a thorn goes up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouths of fools.
As a thorn that cometh into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
10 The great God that formed all things both rewards the fool, and rewards transgressors.
A master performeth all things; but he that stoppeth a fool is as one that stoppeth a flood.
11 As a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool returns to his folly.
As a dog that returneth to his vomit, so is a fool that repeateth his folly.
12 See you 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 eyes? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
13 The slothful man says, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
The sluggard saith: 'There is a lion in the way; yea, a lion is in the streets.'
14 As the door turns upon his hinges, so does the slothful upon his bed.
The door is turning upon its hinges, and the sluggard is still upon his bed.
15 The slothful hides his hand in his bosom; it grieves him to bring it again to his mouth.
The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish; it wearieth him to bring it back 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 eyes than seven men that give wise answer.
17 He that passes by, and meddles with strife belonging not to him, is like one that takes a dog by the ears.
He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife not his own, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
18 As a mad man who casts firebrands, arrows, and death,
As a madman who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death;
19 So is the man that deceives his neighbour, and says, Am not I in sport?
So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith: 'Am not I in sport?'
20 Where no wood is, there the fire goes out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceases.
Where no wood is, the fire goeth out; and where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth.
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 is a contentious man to kindle 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 of the body.
23 Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
Burning lips and a wicked heart are like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.
24 He that hates dissembles with his lips, and lays up deceit within him;
He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, but he layeth up deceit within him.
25 When he speaks 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 showed before the whole congregation.
Though his hatred be concealed with deceit, his wickedness shall be revealed before the congregation.
27 Whoso digs a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolls 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 hates those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth works ruin.
A lying tongue hateth those that are crushed by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
