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 rain in harvest, so glory 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 a bird flying to other places, and a sparrow going here or there: so a curse uttered without cause shall come upon a man.
3 A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.
A whip for a horse, and a snaffle for an ass, 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 be made 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 imagine himself to be wise.
6 He choppeth off the feet, and drinketh vexation, that sendeth important messages by the hand of a fool.
He that sendeth words by a foolish messenger, is lame of feet and drinketh iniquity.
7 Too feebly hang down the thighs on a lame man: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
As a lame man hath fair legs in vain: so a parable is unseemly 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 that casteth a stone into the heap of Mercury: so is he that giveth honour 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 if a thorn should grow in 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.
Judgment determineth causes: and he that putteth a fool to silence, appeaseth anger.
11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so doth a fool repeat to act in his folly.
As a dog that returneth to his vomit, so is the fool that repeateth his folly.
12 When thou seest a man wise in his own eyes, then is there more hope for a fool than for him.
Hast thou seen a man wise in his own conceit? there shall be more hope of a fool than of him.
13 The slothful saith, There is a leopard in the way: a lion is between the streets.
The slothful man saith: There is a lion in the way, and a lioness in the roads.
14 As a door turneth upon its hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
As the door turneth upon its hinges, so doth the slothful 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 slothful hideth his hand under his armpit, and it grieveth him to turn it 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 that speak sentences.
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.
As he that taketh a dog by the ears, so is he that passeth by in anger, and meddleth with another man’s quarrel.
18 As one fatigueth himself shooting off firebrands, arrows, and death:
As he is guilty that shooteth arrows, and lances unto death:
19 So is the man that hath cheated his neighbor, and saith, Behold, I am only jesting.
So is the man that hurteth his friend deceitfully: and when he is taken, saith: I did it in jest.
20 Where there is no wood, the fire goeth out: so where there is no whisperer, strife is silenced.
When the wood faileth, the fire shall go out: and when the talebearer is taken away, contentions shall cease.
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 burning coals, and wood to fire, so an angry man stirreth up 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 talebearer are as it were simple, but they reach to the innermost parts of the belly.
23 Like silver dross laid over an earthen vessel, so are burning lips with a bad heart.
Swelling lips joined with a corrupt heart, are like an earthen vessel adorned with silver dross.
24 With his lips dissembleth he that hateth, and within himself layeth he up deceit:
An enemy is known by his lips, when in his heart he entertaineth deceit.
25 Though he make his voice sound ever so graciously, believe him not; for there are seven abominations in his heart.
When he shall speak low, trust him not: because there are seven mischiefs in his heart.
26 If one's hatred be covered by deception, then shall be laid bare his wickedness before a [whole] assembly.
He that covereth hatred deceitfully, his malice shall be laid open in the public assembly.
27 Whoso diggeth a pit will fall therein; and upon him that rolleth a stone, will it return.
He that diggeth a pit, shall fall into it: and he that rolleth a stone, it shall return to him.
28 A lying tongue hateth those that are crushed by it; and a flattering mouth prepareth [others'] downfall.
A deceitful tongue loveth not truth: and a slippery mouth worketh ruin.
