Proverbs 26
1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, So honor is not becoming to a fool.
As snow in summer, and rain in harvest, so glory is not seemly for a fool.
2 As the sparrow wandereth, and the swallow flieth away, So the curse without cause shall not come.
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 for the horse, a bridle for the ass, And a rod for the back of the fool.
A whip for a horse, and a snaffle for an ass, and a rod for the back of fools.
4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, Lest thou also become like to 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 conceit.
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he imagine himself to be wise.
6 He cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage, Who sendeth a message by the hand of a fool.
He that sendeth words by a foolish messenger, is lame of feet and drinketh iniquity.
7 The legs of a lame man hang loose; So is it with a proverb 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 he who bindeth a stone in a sling, So is he that giveth 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 As a thorn lifted up by the hand of a drunkard, So is a proverb 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 woundeth every one, So is he who hireth fools and hireth wayfarers.
Judgment determineth causes: and he that putteth a fool to silence, appeaseth anger.
11 As a dog returneth to that which he hath vomited, So a fool repeateth his folly.
As a dog that returneth to his vomit, so is the fool that repeateth his folly.
12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him.
Hast thou seen a man wise in his own conceit? there shall be more hope of a fool than of him.
13 The slothful man saith, “There is a lion in the way; There is a lion in the streets.”
The slothful man saith: There is a lion in the way, and a lioness in the roads.
14 As a door turneth upon its hinges, So doth the sluggard upon his bed.
As the door turneth upon its hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
15 The sluggard dippeth his hand into the dish; It grieveth him to bring it again 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 conceit Than seven men who can render a reason.
The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit, than seven men that speak sentences.
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.
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 As a madman That casteth about darts, arrows, and death,
As he is guilty that shooteth arrows, and lances unto death:
19 So is the man who deceiveth his neighbor, And saith, “Was I not in sport?”
So is the man that hurteth his friend deceitfully: and when he is taken, saith: I did it in jest.
20 Where there is no wood, the fire goeth out; So, where there is no talebearer, contention ceaseth.
When the wood faileth, the fire shall go out: and when the talebearer is taken away, contentions shall cease.
21 As coal is for heat, and as wood for fire, So is a contentious man for kindling strife.
As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire, so an angry man stirreth up 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 talebearer are as it were simple, but they reach to the innermost parts of the belly.
23 As drossy silver spread over an earthen vessel, So are warm lips and an evil heart.
Swelling lips joined with a corrupt heart, are like an earthen vessel adorned with silver dross.
24 The hater dissembleth with his lips, And layeth up deceit within him.
An enemy is known by his lips, when in his heart he entertaineth deceit.
25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not! 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 hatred is covered by deceit; His wickedness shall be revealed in the great assembly.
He that covereth hatred deceitfully, his malice shall be laid open in the public assembly.
27 He that diggeth a pit shall fall therein; And he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon 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 hateth those whom it woundeth, And a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
A deceitful tongue loveth not truth: and a slippery mouth worketh ruin.
