Proverbs 26

1 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.

3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back.

4 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.

6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, [and] drinketh damage.

7 The legs of the lame are not equal: so [is] a parable in the mouth of fools.

8 As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, 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.

10 The great [God] that formed all [things] both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.

11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, [so] a fool returneth to his folly.

12 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.

14 [As] the door turneth upon his 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.

16 The sluggard [is] wiser in his own conceit than seven men that 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.

18 As a mad [man] who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,

19 So [is] the man [that] deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?

20 Where no wood is, [there] the fire goeth out: so where [there is] no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.

21 [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.

23 Burning lips and a wicked heart [are like] a potsherd covered with silver dross.

24 He that hateth 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.

26 [Whose] hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the [whole] congregation.

27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.

28 A lying tongue hateth [those that are] afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.