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 as rain in harvest; so honor 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 the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.
3 A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools.
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.
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 also be 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 be wise in his own conceit.
6 One who sends a message by the hand of a fool is cutting off feet and drinking violence.
He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, [and] drinketh damage.
7 Like the legs of the lame that hang loose: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
The legs of the lame are not equal: so [is] a parable 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 bindeth a stone in a sling, so [is] he that giveth honor 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] a thorn goeth up into 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.
The great [God] that formed all [things] both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.
11 As a dog that returns to his vomit, so is a fool who repeats his folly.
As a dog returneth to his vomit, [so] a fool returneth to his folly.
12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is 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 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; a lion [is] in the streets.
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 in [his] bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again 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 can render a reason.
17 Like one who grabs a dog's ears is one who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own.
He that passeth by, [and] meddleth with strife [belonging] not to him, [is like] one that taketh a dog by the ears.
18 Like a madman who shoots firebrands, arrows, and death,
As a mad [man] who casteth fire-brands, arrows, and death,
19 is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, "Am I not joking?"
So [is] the man [that] deceiveth his neighbor, and saith, Am not I in sport?
20 Without wood a fire goes out. Without gossip, contention ceases.
Where no wood is, [there] the fire goeth out: so where [there is] no tale-bearer, the strife ceaseth.
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 [is] a contentious man to kindle strife.
22 The words of a gossip are as tasty morsels, they go down into the innermost parts.
The words of a tale-bearer [are] as wounds, and they go down into 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.
Burning lips and a wicked heart [are like] a potsherd covered with silver dross.
24 A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, but he harbors evil in his heart.
He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
25 When his speech is charming, do not believe him; for there are seven abominations in his heart.
When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for [there are] seven abominations in his heart.
26 His malice may be concealed by deception, but his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
[Whose] hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shown before the [whole] congregation.
27 Whoever digs a pit shall fall into it. Whoever rolls a stone, it will come back on him.
Whoever diggeth a pit shall fall into it: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
28 A lying tongue hates those it hurts; and a flattering mouth works ruin.
A lying tongue hateth [those that are] afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
