Proverbs 26
1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, So honor is not becoming to a fool.
Like snow in summer and rain at harvest, honor does not befit a fool.
2 As the sparrow wandereth, and the swallow flieth away, So the curse without cause shall not come.
Like a fluttering sparrow or darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest.
3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, And a rod for the back of the fool.
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools!
4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, Lest thou also become like to him.
Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be like him.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own conceit.
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he become wise in his own eyes.
6 He cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage, Who sendeth a message by the hand of a fool.
Like cutting off one’s own feet or drinking violence is the sending of a message by the hand of a fool.
7 The legs of a lame man hang loose; So is it with a proverb in the mouth of fools.
Like lame legs hanging limp is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
8 As he who bindeth a stone in a sling, So is he that giveth honor to a fool.
Like binding a stone into a sling is the giving of honor to a fool.
9 As a thorn lifted up by the hand of a drunkard, So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
Like a thorn that falls into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
10 As an archer who woundeth every one, So is he who hireth fools and hireth wayfarers.
Like an archer who wounds at random is he who hires a fool or passerby.
11 As a dog returneth to that which he hath vomited, So a fool repeateth his folly.
As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.
12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him.
Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
13 The slothful man saith, “There is a lion in the way; There is a lion in the streets.”
The slacker says, “A lion is in the road! A fierce lion roams the public square!”
14 As a door turneth upon its hinges, So doth the sluggard upon his bed.
As a door turns on its hinges, so the slacker turns on his bed.
15 The sluggard dippeth his hand into the dish; It grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.
The slacker buries his hand in the dish; it wearies him to bring it back to his mouth.
16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit Than seven men who can render a reason.
The slacker is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer discreetly.
17 As one that taketh a dog by the ears, So is he who, passing by, is enraged on account of the quarrel of another.
Like one who grabs a dog by the ears is a passerby who meddles in a quarrel not his own.
18 As a madman That casteth about darts, arrows, and death,
Like a madman shooting firebrands and deadly arrows,
19 So is the man who deceiveth his neighbor, And saith, “Was I not in sport?”
so is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I was only joking!”
20 Where there is no wood, the fire goeth out; So, where there is no talebearer, contention ceaseth.
Without wood, a fire goes out; without gossip, a conflict ceases.
21 As coal is for heat, and as wood for fire, So is a contentious man for kindling strife.
Like charcoal for embers and wood for fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.
22 The words of a talebearer are like dainties; For they go down to the innermost parts of the body.
The words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being.
23 As drossy silver spread over an earthen vessel, So are warm lips and an evil heart.
Like glaze covering an earthen vessel are burning lips and a wicked heart.
24 The hater dissembleth with his lips, And layeth up deceit within him.
A hateful man disguises himself with his speech, but he lays up deceit in his heart.
25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not! For there are seven abominations in his heart.
When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, for seven abominations fill his heart.
26 His hatred is covered by deceit; His wickedness shall be revealed in the great assembly.
Though his hatred is concealed by deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
27 He that diggeth a pit shall fall therein; And he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.
He who digs a pit will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.
28 A lying tongue hateth those whom it woundeth, And a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
A lying tongue hates those it crushes, and a flattering mouth causes ruin.
