Proverbs 26
1 As snow is in summer, and as rain in harvest: so is honor not seemly to a fool.
Like snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting 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].
Like a fluttering sparrow, like a darting swallow, so the undeserved curse does not come to rest.
3 A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.
A whip is 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.
Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like 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 eyes.
6 He choppeth off the feet, and drinketh vexation, that sendeth important messages by the hand of a fool.
One who sends a message by the hand of a fool is cutting off feet and drinking violence.
7 Too feebly hang down the thighs on a lame man: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
Like the legs of the lame that hang loose, so is a parable 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 one 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.
Like a thorn bush that goes into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable 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 or 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 that returns to his vomit, so 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.
Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for 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 road! A fierce lion roams the streets!”
14 As a door turneth upon its hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
As the door turns on its hinges, so does the sluggard on 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. He is too lazy to bring it back 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 eyes than seven men who answer with discretion.
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.
Like one who grabs a dog’s ears is one who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own.
18 As one fatigueth himself shooting off firebrands, arrows, and death:
Like a madman who shoots torches, arrows, and death,
19 So is the man that hath cheated his neighbor, and saith, Behold, I am only jesting.
is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “Am I not joking?”
20 Where there is no wood, the fire goeth out: so where there is no whisperer, strife is silenced.
For lack of wood a fire goes out. Without gossip, a quarrel dies down.
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 kindling 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, they go down into the innermost parts.
23 Like silver dross laid over an earthen vessel, so are burning lips with a bad heart.
Like silver dross on an earthen vessel are the lips of a fervent one with an evil heart.
24 With his lips dissembleth he that hateth, and within himself layeth he up deceit:
A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, but he harbors evil in his heart.
25 Though he make his voice sound ever so graciously, believe him not; for there are seven abominations in his heart.
When his speech is charming, do not believe him, 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.
His malice may be concealed by deception, but his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
27 Whoso diggeth a pit will fall therein; and upon him that rolleth a stone, will it return.
Whoever digs a pit shall fall into it. Whoever rolls a stone, it will come back on him.
28 A lying tongue hateth those that are crushed by it; and a flattering mouth prepareth [others'] downfall.
A lying tongue hates those it hurts; and a flattering mouth works ruin.
