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 or rain in harvest, so a fool does not deserve honor.
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 flitters and the swallow darts when they fly, so an undeserved curse 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 is for the horse, a bridle is for the donkey and a rod is 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, or you will become like him.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.
Answer a fool and join in on his folly, so he will not become wise in his own eyes.
6 He choppeth off the feet, and drinketh vexation, that sendeth important messages by the hand of a fool.
Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks 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 a paralytic which hang down 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.
Like tying a stone in a sling is giving 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 that goes into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
10 A master injureth all things when he hireth a fool or hireth mere rovers.
Like an archer who wounds all those around him is one who hires a fool or hires anyone who passes by.
11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so doth a fool repeat to act in his folly.
As a dog returns to his own 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 someone who is 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 lazy person says, “There is a lion on the road! There is a lion between the open places!”
14 As a door turneth upon its hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
As the door turns on its hinges, so is the lazy person 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 lazy person puts his hand into the dish and yet he has no strength to lift it up to his mouth.
16 The slothful is wiser in his own eyes, than seven men that can give wise answers.
The lazy person is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who respond with good judgment.
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 takes hold of the ears of a dog, is a passerby who becomes angry at a dispute that is not his own.
18 As one fatigueth himself shooting off firebrands, arrows, and death:
Like a madman who shoots burning arrows,
19 So is the man that hath cheated his neighbor, and saith, Behold, I am only jesting.
is the one who deceives his neighbor and says, “Was I not telling a joke?”
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 gossiper quarreling ceases.
21 As charcoals are added to burning coals, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man fitted to enkindle a dispute.
As charcoal is to burning coals and wood is to fire, so is a quarrelsome person 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 gossip are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.
23 Like silver dross laid over an earthen vessel, so are burning lips with a bad heart.
Like the glaze overlaying an earthen vessel so are burning lips and an evil heart.
24 With his lips dissembleth he that hateth, and within himself layeth he up deceit:
One who hates others disguises his feelings with his lips and he lays up deceit within himself.
25 Though he make his voice sound ever so graciously, believe him not; for there are seven abominations in his heart.
He will speak graciously, but 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.
Though his hatred is covered with deception, 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 will fall into it and the stone will roll back on the one who pushed it.
28 A lying tongue hateth those that are crushed by it; and a flattering mouth prepareth [others'] downfall.
A lying tongue hates the people it crushes and a flattering mouth brings about ruin.
