Proverbs 26
1 As dew in harvest, and as rain in summer, so honor is not [seemly] for a fool.
As snow is in summer, and as rain in harvest: so is honor not seemly to a fool.
2 As birds and sparrows fly, so a curse shall not come upon any one without a cause.
As the bird [cometh] to flit away, as the swallow, to fly off: so will an undeserved curse not come [to fulfillment].
3 As a whip for a horse, and a goad for an ass, so [is] a rod for a simple nation.
A whip is 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 you become like him.
Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest thou also become equal 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 choppeth off the feet, and drinketh vexation, that sendeth important messages by the hand of a fool.
7 [As well] take away the motion of the legs, as transgression from the mouth of fools.
Too feebly hang down the thighs on a lame man: so is a parable 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 is the one that bindeth a stone fast in a sling, so is he that giveth honor to a fool.
9 Thorns grow in the hand of a drunkard, and servitude in the hand of fools.
[As] a thorn that is come into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
10 All the flesh of fools endures much hardship; for their fury is brought to nothing.
A master injureth all things when he hireth a fool or hireth mere rovers.
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 returneth to his vomit, so doth a fool repeat to act in his folly.
12 I have seen a man who seemed to himself to be wise; but a fool had more hope than he.
When thou seest a man wise in his own eyes, then is there more hope for a fool 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.
The slothful saith, There is a leopard in the way: a lion is between the streets.
14 As a door turns on the hinge, so does a sluggard on his bed.
As a door turneth upon its hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
15 A sluggard having hid his hand in his bosom, will not be able to bring it up to his mouth.
Hath the slothful hidden his hand in the dish, it wearieth him to bring it back again to his mouth.
16 A sluggard seems to himself wiser than one who most satisfactorily brings back a message.
The slothful is wiser in his own eyes, than seven men that can give wise answers.
17 As he that lays hold of a dog's tail, so is he that makes himself the champion of another's cause.
As is one that taketh hold of a dog by the ears, so is he that passing by becometh excited about a dispute which concerneth him not.
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 one fatigueth himself shooting off 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 the man that hath cheated his neighbor, and saith, Behold, I am only jesting.
20 With much wood fire increases; but where there is not a double-minded man, strife ceases.
Where there is no wood, the fire goeth out: so where there is no whisperer, strife is silenced.
21 A hearth for coals, and wood for fire; and railing man for the tumult of strife.
As charcoals are added to burning coals, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man fitted to enkindle a dispute.
22 The words of cunning knaves are soft; but they strike [even] to the inmost parts of the bowels.
The words of a whisperer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost chambers of the body.
23 Silver dishonestly given is to be considered as a potsherd: smooth lips cover a grievous heart.
Like silver dross laid over an earthen vessel, so are burning lips with a bad heart.
24 A weeping enemy promises all things with his lips, but in his heart he contrives deceit.
With his lips dissembleth he that hateth, and within himself layeth he up deceit:
25 Though [your] enemy entreat you with a loud voice, consent not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
Though he make his voice sound ever so graciously, 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.
If one's hatred be covered by deception, then shall be laid bare his wickedness before a [whole] assembly.
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 will fall therein; and upon him that rolleth a stone, will it return.
28 A lying tongue hates the truth; and an unguarded mouth causes tumults.
A lying tongue hateth those that are crushed by it; and a flattering mouth prepareth [others'] downfall.
