Proverbs 26
1 As dew in harvest, and as rain in summer, so honor is not [seemly] for a fool.
As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour beseemeth not a fool.
2 As birds and sparrows fly, so a curse shall not come upon any one without a cause.
As the sparrow for flitting about, as the swallow for flying, so a curse undeserved shall not come.
3 As a whip for a horse, and a goad for an ass, so [is] a rod for a simple nation.
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 become like him.
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
5 Yet answer a fool according to his folly, lest he seem 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 a foolish messenger procures for himself a reproach from his own ways.
He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off [his own] feet, [and] drinketh damage.
7 [As well] take away the motion of the legs, as transgression from the mouth of fools.
The legs of the lame hang loose; so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
8 He that binds up a stone in a sling, is like one that gives glory to a fool.
As a bag of gems in a stoneheap, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
9 Thorns grow in the hand of a drunkard, and servitude in the hand of fools.
[As] a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
10 All the flesh of fools endures much hardship; for their fury is brought to nothing.
A master roughly worketh every one: he both hireth the fool and hireth passers-by.
11 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.]
As a dog turneth back to its vomit, [so] a fool repeateth his folly.
12 I have seen a man who seemed to himself to be wise; but a fool had more hope than he.
Hast thou seen a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope of a fool than of him.
13 A sluggard when sent on a journey says, [There is] a lion in the ways, and [there are] murderers in the streets.
The sluggard saith, There is a fierce lion in the way; a lion is in the midst of the streets!
14 As a door turns on the hinge, so does a sluggard on his bed.
[As] the door turneth upon its hinges, so the sluggard upon his bed.
15 A sluggard having hid his hand in his bosom, will not be able to bring it up to his mouth.
The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish: it wearieth him to bring it again to his mouth.
16 A sluggard seems to himself wiser than one who most satisfactorily brings back a message.
A sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven [men] that answer discreetly.
17 As he that lays hold of a dog's tail, so is he that makes himself the champion of another's cause.
He that passing by vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him, is [like] one that taketh a dog by the ears.
18 As those who need correction put forth [fair] words to men, and he that first falls in with the proposal will be overthrown;
As a madman who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
19 so are all that lay wait for their own friends, and when they are discovered, say, I did it in jest.
so is a man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am I not in sport?
20 With much wood fire increases; but where there is not a double-minded man, strife ceases.
Where no wood is, the fire goeth out; and where there is no talebearer, the contention ceaseth.
21 A hearth for coals, and wood for fire; and railing man for the tumult of strife.
[As] coals for hot coals, and wood for fire, so is a contentious man to inflame strife.
22 The words of cunning knaves are soft; but they strike [even] to the inmost parts of the bowels.
The words of a talebearer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
23 Silver dishonestly given is to be considered as a potsherd: smooth lips cover a grievous heart.
Ardent lips, and a wicked heart, are [as] an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.
24 A weeping enemy promises all things with his lips, but in his heart he contrives deceit.
He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, but he layeth up deceit within him:
25 Though [your] enemy entreat you with a loud voice, consent not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
when his voice is gracious, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 He that hides enmity frames deceit: but being easily discerned, exposes his own sins in the public assemblies.
Though [his] hatred is covered by dissimulation, his wickedness shall be made manifest in the congregation.
27 He that digs a pit for his neighbor shall fall into it: and he that rolls a stone, rolls it upon himself.
Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein; and he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.
28 A lying tongue hates the truth; and an unguarded mouth causes tumults.
A lying tongue hateth those that are injured by it, and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
