Proverbs 26
1 Like snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.
As snow in summer, and rain in harvest, so glory is not seemly for a fool.
2 Like a fluttering sparrow, like a darting swallow, so the undeserved curse doesn't come to rest.
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 donkey, and a rod for the back of fools.
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 you also be like 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 One who sends a message by the hand of a fool is cutting off feet and drinking violence.
He that sendeth words by a foolish messenger, is lame of feet and drinketh iniquity.
7 Like the legs of the lame that hang loose: 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 one who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives 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 Like a thornbush that goes 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 As an archer who wounds all, so is he who hires a fool or he who hires those who pass by.
Judgment determineth causes: and he that putteth a fool to silence, appeaseth anger.
11 As a dog that returns to his vomit, so is a fool who repeats his folly.
As a dog that returneth to his vomit, so is the fool that repeateth his folly.
12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is 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 sluggard says, "There is a lion in the road. A fierce lion roams the streets."
The slothful man saith: There is a lion in the way, and a lioness in the roads.
14 As the door turns on its hinges, so does the sluggard on his bed.
As the door turneth upon its hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
15 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish. He is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.
The slothful hideth his hand under his armpit, and it grieveth him to turn it to his mouth.
16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer with discretion.
The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit, than seven men that speak sentences.
17 Like one who grabs a dog's ears is one who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own.
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 Like a madman who shoots firebrands, arrows, and death,
As he is guilty that shooteth arrows, and lances unto death:
19 is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, "Am I not joking?"
So is the man that hurteth his friend deceitfully: and when he is taken, saith: I did it in jest.
20 Without wood a fire goes out. Without gossip, contention ceases.
When the wood faileth, the fire shall go out: and when the talebearer is taken away, contentions shall cease.
21 As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindling strife.
As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire, so an angry man stirreth up strife.
22 The words of a gossip are as tasty morsels, they go down into the innermost parts.
The words of a talebearer are as it were simple, but they reach to the innermost parts of the belly.
23 Like silver dross on an earthen vessel are the lips of a fervent one with an evil heart.
Swelling lips joined with a corrupt heart, are like an earthen vessel adorned with silver dross.
24 A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, but he harbors evil in his heart.
An enemy is known by his lips, when in his heart he entertaineth deceit.
25 When his speech is charming, do not believe him; 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 His malice may be concealed by deception, but his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
He that covereth hatred deceitfully, his malice shall be laid open in the public assembly.
27 Whoever digs a pit shall fall into it. Whoever rolls a stone, it will come back on him.
He that diggeth a pit, shall fall into it: and he that rolleth a stone, it shall return to him.
28 A lying tongue hates those it hurts; and a flattering mouth works ruin.
A deceitful tongue loveth not truth: and a slippery mouth worketh ruin.
