Proverbs 26
1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.
As dew in harvest, and as rain in summer, 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 birds and sparrows fly, so a curse shall not come upon any one without a cause.
3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back.
As a whip for a horse, and a goad for an ass, so [is] a rod for a simple nation.
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 you become like him.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
Yet answer a fool according to his folly, lest he seem 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 that sends a message by a foolish messenger procures for himself a reproach from his own ways.
7 The legs of the lame are not equal: so [is] a parable in the mouth of fools.
[As well] take away the motion of the legs, as transgression from the mouth of fools.
8 As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so [is] he that giveth honour to a fool.
He that binds up a stone in a sling, is like one that gives glory to a fool.
9 [As] a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so [is] a parable in the mouth of fools.
Thorns grow in the hand of a drunkard, and servitude in the hand of fools.
10 The great [God] that formed all [things] both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.
All the flesh of fools endures much hardship; for their fury is brought to nothing.
11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, [so] a fool returneth to his folly.
As when a dog goes to his own vomit, and becomes abominable, so is fool who returns in his wickedness to his own sin. [There is a shame that brings sin: and there is a shame [that is] glory and grace.]
12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? [there is] more hope of a fool than of him.
I have seen a man who seemed to himself to be wise; but a fool had more hope than he.
13 The slothful [man] saith, [There is] a lion in the way; a lion [is] in the streets.
A sluggard when sent on a journey says, [There is] a lion in the ways, and [there are] murderers in the streets.
14 [As] the door turneth upon his hinges, so [doth] the slothful upon his bed.
As a door turns on the hinge, so does a sluggard on his bed.
15 The slothful hideth his hand in [his] bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.
A sluggard having hid his hand in his bosom, will not be able to bring it up to his mouth.
16 The sluggard [is] wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
A sluggard seems to himself wiser than one who most satisfactorily brings back a message.
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 lays hold of a dog's tail, so is he that makes himself the champion of another's cause.
18 As a mad [man] who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
As those who need correction put forth [fair] words to men, and he that first falls in with the proposal will be overthrown;
19 So [is] the man [that] deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
so are all that lay wait for their own friends, and when they are discovered, say, I did it in jest.
20 Where no wood is, [there] the fire goeth out: so where [there is] no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
With much wood fire increases; but where there is not a double-minded man, strife ceases.
21 [As] coals [are] to burning coals, and wood to fire; so [is] a contentious man to kindle strife.
A hearth for coals, and wood for fire; and railing man for the tumult of strife.
22 The words of a talebearer [are] as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
The words of cunning knaves are soft; but they strike [even] to the inmost parts of the bowels.
23 Burning lips and a wicked heart [are like] a potsherd covered with silver dross.
Silver dishonestly given is to be considered as a potsherd: smooth lips cover a grievous heart.
24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
A weeping enemy promises all things with his lips, but in his heart he contrives deceit.
25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for [there are] seven abominations in his heart.
Though [your] enemy entreat you with a loud voice, consent 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.
He that hides enmity frames deceit: but being easily discerned, exposes his own sins in the public assemblies.
27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
He that digs a pit for his neighbour shall fall into it: and he that rolls a stone, rolls it upon himself.
28 A lying tongue hateth [those that are] afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
A lying tongue hates the truth; and an unguarded mouth causes tumults.
