Proverbs 26
1 As dew in harvest, and as rain in summer, so honor is not [seemly] for a fool.
Honoring someone stupid is as inappropriate as snow in the summer or rain during harvest.
2 As birds and sparrows fly, so a curse shall not come upon any one without a cause.
A curse that isn't deserved won't land on the person, like a fluttering sparrow or a flitting swallow.
3 As a whip for a horse, and a goad for an ass, so [is] a rod for a simple nation.
Horses need a whip, donkeys need a bridle, and stupid people need a rod on their backs!
4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you become like him.
Don't answer stupid people following their stupidity, or you'll become as bad as them.
5 Yet answer a fool according to his folly, lest he seem wise in his own conceit.
Answer stupid people following their stupidity, otherwise they'll think they're wise.
6 He that sends a message by a foolish messenger procures for himself a reproach from his own ways.
Trusting someone stupid to deliver a message is like cutting of your feet or drinking poison.
7 [As well] take away the motion of the legs, as transgression from the mouth of fools.
A proverb spoken by someone stupid is as useless as a lame person's legs.
8 He that binds up a stone in a sling, is like one that gives glory to a fool.
Honoring someone stupid is as pointless as tying a stone into a sling.
9 Thorns grow in the hand of a drunkard, and servitude in the hand of fools.
A proverb spoken by someone stupid is as ridiculous as a thorn bush waved around by a drunk.
10 All the flesh of fools endures much hardship; for their fury is brought to nothing.
Anyone who hires someone stupid or just a passer-by is like an archer wounding people by shooting arrows at random.
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.]
Stupid people repeat their stupidity like a dog returning to its vomit.
12 I have seen a man who seemed to himself to be wise; but a fool had more hope than he.
Have you seen a man who is wise in his own eyes? There's more hope for stupid people than for him!
13 A sluggard when sent on a journey says, [There is] a lion in the ways, and [there are] murderers in the streets.
Lazy people are the ones who say, “There's a lion on the road—a lion running around the streets!”
14 As a door turns on the hinge, so does a sluggard on his bed.
A lazy person turns in bed like a door turns on its hinge.
15 A sluggard having hid his hand in his bosom, will not be able to bring it up to his mouth.
Lazy people put their hands in a dish, but are too tired to lift the food to their mouths.
16 A sluggard seems to himself wiser than one who most satisfactorily brings back a message.
In their own eyes lazy people are wiser than many sensible advisors.
17 As he that lays hold of a dog's tail, so is he that makes himself the champion of another's cause.
Interfering in someone else's quarrel is like grabbing a stray 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;
You're like a crazy person firing off blazing arrows and killing people
19 so are all that lay wait for their own friends, and when they are discovered, say, I did it in jest.
if you lie to your friend and then say, “I was only joking!”
20 With much wood fire increases; but where there is not a double-minded man, strife ceases.
Without wood, the fire goes out; and without gossips, arguments stop.
21 A hearth for coals, and wood for fire; and railing man for the tumult of strife.
An argumentative person fires up quarrels like putting charcoal on hot embers or wood on a fire.
22 The words of cunning knaves are soft; but they strike [even] to the inmost parts of the bowels.
Listening to gossip is like gulping down bites of your favorite food—they go deep down inside you.
23 Silver dishonestly given is to be considered as a potsherd: smooth lips cover a grievous heart.
Smooth talking with evil intent is like a shiny lead glaze on an earthenware pot.
24 A weeping enemy promises all things with his lips, but in his heart he contrives deceit.
People say nice things to you even though they hate you; deep down they're just lying to you.
25 Though [your] enemy entreat you with a loud voice, consent not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
When people talk nicely to you, don't believe them—their minds are full of hate for you.
26 He that hides enmity frames deceit: but being easily discerned, exposes his own sins in the public assemblies.
Even though their hatred may be hidden by cunning tricks, their evil will be revealed to everyone.
27 He that digs a pit for his neighbor shall fall into it: and he that rolls a stone, rolls it upon himself.
Those who dig pits to trap others will fall in themselves, and those who start boulders rolling will be crushed themselves.
28 A lying tongue hates the truth; and an unguarded mouth causes tumults.
If you tell lies, you show you hate your victims; if you flatter people, you cause disaster.
