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 as rain in harvest, so honour 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 the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.
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 ass, and a rod for the fool's back.
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 also be like unto 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 be wise in his own conceit.
6 He cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage, Who sendeth a message by the hand of a fool.
He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.
7 The legs of a lame man hang loose; So is it with a proverb in the mouth of fools.
The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable 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 bindeth a stone in a sling, 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 a thorn goeth up into 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.
The great Elohim that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.
11 As a dog returneth to that which he hath vomited, So a fool repeateth his folly.
As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.
12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him.
Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is 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; a lion is in the streets.
14 As a door turneth upon its hinges, So doth the sluggard upon his bed.
As the door turneth upon his 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 in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again 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 can render a reason.
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.
He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
18 As a madman That casteth about darts, arrows, and death,
As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
19 So is the man who deceiveth his neighbor, And saith, “Was I not in sport?”
So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
20 Where there is no wood, the fire goeth out; So, where there is no talebearer, contention ceaseth.
Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
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 is a contentious man to kindle 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 wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
23 As drossy silver spread over an earthen vessel, So are warm lips and an evil heart.
Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
24 The hater dissembleth with his lips, And layeth up deceit within him.
He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not! 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 hatred is covered by deceit; His wickedness shall be revealed in the great assembly.
Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.
27 He that diggeth a pit shall fall therein; And he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.
Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
28 A lying tongue hateth those whom it woundeth, And a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
