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 becoming to 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 wandereth, and the swallow flieth away, So the curse without cause shall not come.
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 the fool.
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 become 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 cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage, Who sendeth a message by the hand of a fool.
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 it with 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 bindeth a stone in a sling, So is he that giveth 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 lifted up by 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 woundeth every one, So is he who hireth fools and hireth wayfarers.
11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so doth a fool repeat to act in his folly.
As a dog returneth to that which he hath vomited, So a fool 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 conceit? 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 slothful man saith, “There is a lion in the way; There is a lion in the streets.”
14 As a door turneth upon its hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
As a door turneth upon its hinges, So doth 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 dippeth his hand into the dish; It grieveth 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.
As one that taketh a dog by the ears, So is he who, passing by, is enraged on account of the quarrel of another.
18 As one fatigueth himself shooting off firebrands, arrows, and death:
As a madman That casteth about darts, 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 deceiveth his neighbor, And saith, “Was I not in sport?”
20 Where there is no wood, the fire goeth out: so where there is no whisperer, strife is silenced.
Where there is no wood, the fire goeth out; So, where there is no talebearer, 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 coal is for heat, and as wood for fire, So is a contentious man for 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 talebearer are like dainties; For they go down to the innermost parts of the body.
23 Like silver dross laid over an earthen vessel, so are burning lips with a bad heart.
As drossy silver spread over an earthen vessel, So are warm lips and an evil heart.
24 With his lips dissembleth he that hateth, and within himself layeth he up deceit:
The hater dissembleth with his lips, And 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.
His hatred is covered by deceit; His wickedness shall be revealed in the great 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 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 whom it woundeth, And a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
