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 honour beseemeth not 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 for flitting about, as the swallow for flying, so a curse undeserved shall not come.
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 ass, 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 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 eyes.
6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off [his own] feet, [and] drinketh in damage.
He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off [his own] feet, [and] drinketh damage.
7 The legs of the lame hang loose: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
The legs of the lame 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 a bag of gems in a stoneheap, so is he that giveth honour 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 goeth 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.
A master roughly worketh every one: he both hireth the fool and hireth passers-by.
11 As a dog that returneth to his vomit, [so is] a fool that repeateth his folly.
As a dog turneth back to its vomit, [so] a fool 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 eyes? There is more hope of a fool than of him.
13 The sluggard saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
The sluggard saith, There is a fierce lion in the way; a lion is in the midst of the streets!
14 [As] the door turneth upon its hinges, so doth the sluggard upon his bed.
[As] the door turneth upon its hinges, so 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 burieth his hand in the dish: it wearieth 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.
A sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven [men] that answer discreetly.
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 that passing by vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him, is [like] one that taketh a dog by the ears.
18 As a madman who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death;
As a madman who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
so is a man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am I not in sport?
20 For lack of wood the fire goeth out: and where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth.
Where no wood is, the fire goeth out; and where there is no talebearer, the contention ceaseth.
21 [As] coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to inflame strife.
[As] coals for hot coals, and wood for 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 talebearer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
23 Fervent lips and a wicked heart are [like] an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.
Ardent lips, and a wicked heart, are [as] an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.
24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, but he layeth up deceit within him:
He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, but he layeth up deceit within him:
25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not; for there are seven abominations in his heart:
when his voice is gracious, 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 is covered by dissimulation, his wickedness shall be made manifest in the congregation.
27 Whoso 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 shall return upon him.
28 A lying tongue hateth those whom it hath wounded; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
A lying tongue hateth those that are injured by it, and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
