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 honour 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 wandering sparrow, as the flying swallow, so the curse that is causeless shall come home.
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 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 also be like unto 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.
He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off his own feet, and drinketh damage.
7 Too feebly hang down the thighs on a lame man: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
The legs hang limp from the lame; 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 a small stone in a heap of stones, 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 a thorn that cometh 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.
A master performeth all things; but he that stoppeth a fool is as one that stoppeth a flood.
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 a 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.
Seest thou a man wise in his own eyes? there is 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 sluggard saith: 'There is a lion in the way; yea, a lion is in the streets.'
14 As a door turneth upon its hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
The door is turning upon its hinges, and the sluggard is still 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 burieth his hand in the dish; it wearieth him 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 that give wise answer.
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 that passeth by, and meddleth with strife not his own, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
18 As one fatigueth himself shooting off firebrands, arrows, and death:
As a madman who casteth 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 that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith: 'Am not I in sport?'
20 Where there is no wood, the fire goeth out: so where there is no whisperer, strife is silenced.
Where no wood is, the fire goeth out; and where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth.
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 is a contentious man to kindle 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 of the body.
23 Like silver dross laid over an earthen vessel, so are burning lips with a bad heart.
Burning lips and a wicked heart are like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.
24 With his lips dissembleth he that hateth, and within himself layeth he up deceit:
He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, but he layeth 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 speaketh fair, 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 be concealed with deceit, his wickedness shall be revealed before the congregation.
27 Whoso diggeth a pit will fall therein; and upon him that rolleth a stone, will it return.
Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein; and he that rolleth 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 hateth those that are crushed by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
