Proverbs 26
1 As snow is in summer, and as rain in harvest: so is honor not seemly to a fool.
As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honor is not seemly for a fool.
2 As the bird [cometh] to flit away, as the swallow, to fly off: so will an undeserved curse not come [to fulfillment].
As the sparrow in her wandering, as the swallow in her flying, so the curse that is causeless does not alight.
3 A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools.
4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest thou also become equal unto him.
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like to him.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
6 He choppeth off the feet, and drinketh vexation, that sendeth important messages by the hand of a fool.
He who sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off the feet, and drinks injury.
7 Too feebly hang down the thighs on a lame man: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
The legs of a lame man hang loose. So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
8 As is the one that bindeth a stone fast in a sling, so is he that giveth honor to a fool.
As he who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honor to a fool.
9 [As] a thorn that is come into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
As a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
10 A master injureth all things when he hireth a fool or hireth mere rovers.
As an archer who wounds all, so is he who hires a fool, and he who hires those who pass by.
11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so doth a fool repeat to act in his folly.
As a dog who returns to his vomit, is a fool who repeats his folly.
12 When thou seest a man wise in his own eyes, then is there more hope for a fool than for him.
See thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope for a fool than of him.
13 The slothful saith, There is a leopard in the way: a lion is between the streets.
The sluggard says, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
14 As a door turneth upon its hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
The door turns upon its hinges, so does the sluggard upon his bed.
15 Hath the slothful hidden his hand in the dish, it wearieth him to bring it back again to his mouth.
The sluggard buries his hand in the dish. It wearies him to bring it again to his mouth.
16 The slothful is wiser in his own eyes, than seven men that can give wise answers.
The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men who can render a reason.
17 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.
He who passes by, and meddles with strife not his, is like he who takes a dog by the ears.
18 As one fatigueth himself shooting off firebrands, arrows, and death:
As a madman who casts firebrands, arrows, and death,
19 So is the man that hath cheated his neighbor, and saith, Behold, I am only jesting.
so is the man who deceives his neighbor, and says, Am I not in sport?
20 Where there is no wood, the fire goeth out: so where there is no whisperer, strife is silenced.
For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, contention ceases.
21 As charcoals are added to burning coals, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man fitted to enkindle a dispute.
As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to inflame strife.
22 The words of a whisperer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost chambers of the body.
The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts.
23 Like silver dross laid over an earthen vessel, so are burning lips with a bad heart.
Fervent lips and a wicked heart are an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.
24 With his lips dissembleth he that hateth, and within himself layeth he up deceit:
He who hates masquerades with his lips, but he lays up deceit within him.
25 Though he make his voice sound ever so graciously, believe him not; for there are seven abominations in his heart.
When he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 If one's hatred be covered by deception, then shall be laid bare his wickedness before a [whole] assembly.
Though his hatred cover itself with guile, his wickedness shall be openly shown before the assembly.
27 Whoso diggeth a pit will fall therein; and upon him that rolleth a stone, will it return.
He who digs a pit shall fall in it, and he who rolls a stone, it shall return upon him.
28 A lying tongue hateth those that are crushed by it; and a flattering mouth prepareth [others'] downfall.
A lying tongue hates those whom it has wounded, and a flattering mouth works ruin.
