Proverbs 26
1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.
As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honor is not seemly for a fool.
2 As the sparrow in her wandering, as the swallow in her flying, so the curse that is causeless lighteth not.
As the sparrow in her wandering, as the swallow in her flying, so the curse that is causeless does not alight.
3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the back of fools.
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools.
4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like to 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 that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off [his own] feet, [and] drinketh in damage.
He who sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off the feet, and drinks injury.
7 The legs of the lame hang loose: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
The legs of a lame man hang loose. So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
8 As a bag of gems in a heap of stones, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
As he who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honor to a fool.
9 [As] a thorn that goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the month of fools.
As a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
10 [As] an archer that woundeth all, so is he that hireth the fool and he that hireth them that pass by.
As an archer who wounds all, so is he who hires a fool, and he who hires those who pass by.
11 As a dog that returneth to his vomit, [so is] a fool that repeateth his folly.
As a dog who returns to his vomit, is a fool who repeats his folly.
12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
See thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope for a fool than of him.
13 The sluggard saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
The sluggard says, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
14 [As] the door turneth upon its hinges, so doth the sluggard upon his bed.
The door turns upon its hinges, so does the sluggard upon his bed.
15 The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish; it wearieth him to bring it again to his mouth.
The sluggard buries his hand in the dish. It wearies him to bring it again to his mouth.
16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men who can render a reason.
17 He that passeth by, [and] vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him, is [like] one that taketh a dog by the ears.
He who passes by, and meddles with strife not his, is like he who takes a dog by the ears.
18 As a madman who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death;
As a madman who casts firebrands, arrows, and death,
19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
so is the man who deceives his neighbor, and says, Am I not in sport?
20 For lack of wood the fire goeth out: and where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth.
For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, contention ceases.
21 [As] coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to inflame strife.
As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to inflame strife.
22 The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts.
23 Fervent lips and a wicked heart are [like] an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.
Fervent lips and a wicked heart are an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.
24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, but he layeth up deceit within him:
He who hates masquerades with his lips, but he lays up deceit within him.
25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not; for there are seven abominations in his heart:
When he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 Though [his] hatred cover itself with guile, his wickedness shall be openly shewed before the congregation.
Though his hatred cover itself with guile, his wickedness shall be openly shown before the assembly.
27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.
He who digs a pit shall fall in it, and he who rolls a stone, it shall return upon him.
28 A lying tongue hateth those whom it hath wounded; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
A lying tongue hates those whom it has wounded, and a flattering mouth works ruin.
