Proverbs 26
1 Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, so a fool does not deserve honor.
As snow is in summer, and as rain in harvest: so is honor not seemly to a fool.
2 As the sparrow flitters and the swallow darts when they fly, so an undeserved curse does not alight.
As the bird [cometh] to flit away, as the swallow, to fly off: so will an undeserved curse not come [to fulfillment].
3 A whip is for the horse, a bridle is for the donkey and a rod is for the back of fools.
A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.
4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will become like him.
Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest thou also become equal unto him.
5 Answer a fool and join in on his folly, so he will not become wise in his own eyes.
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.
6 Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.
He choppeth off the feet, and drinketh vexation, that sendeth important messages by the hand of a fool.
7 Like the legs of a paralytic which hang down is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
Too feebly hang down the thighs on a lame man: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
8 Like tying a stone in a sling is giving honor to a fool.
As is the one that bindeth a stone fast in a sling, so is he that giveth honor to a fool.
9 Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
[As] a thorn that is come into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
10 Like an archer who wounds all those around him is one who hires a fool or hires anyone who passes by.
A master injureth all things when he hireth a fool or hireth mere rovers.
11 As a dog returns to his own vomit, so is a fool who repeats his folly.
As a dog returneth to his vomit, so doth a fool repeat to act in his folly.
12 Do you see someone who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
When thou seest a man wise in his own eyes, then is there more hope for a fool than for him.
13 The lazy person says, “There is a lion on the road! There is a lion between the open places!”
The slothful saith, There is a leopard in the way: a lion is between the streets.
14 As the door turns on its hinges, so is the lazy person upon his bed.
As a door turneth upon its hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
15 The lazy person puts his hand into the dish and yet he has no strength to lift it up to his mouth.
Hath the slothful hidden his hand in the dish, it wearieth him to bring it back again to his mouth.
16 The lazy person is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who respond with good judgment.
The slothful is wiser in his own eyes, than seven men that can give wise answers.
17 Like one who takes hold of the ears of a dog, is a passerby who becomes angry at a dispute that is not his own.
As is one that taketh hold of a dog by the ears, so is he that passing by becometh excited about a dispute which concerneth him not.
18 Like a madman who shoots burning arrows,
As one fatigueth himself shooting off firebrands, arrows, and death:
19 is the one who deceives his neighbor and says, “Was I not telling a joke?”
So is the man that hath cheated his neighbor, and saith, Behold, I am only jesting.
20 For lack of wood, the fire goes out; and where there is no gossiper quarreling ceases.
Where there is no wood, the fire goeth out: so where there is no whisperer, strife is silenced.
21 As charcoal is to burning coals and wood is to fire, so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.
As charcoals are added to burning coals, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man fitted to enkindle a dispute.
22 The words of a gossip are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.
The words of a whisperer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost chambers of the body.
23 Like the glaze overlaying an earthen vessel so are burning lips and an evil heart.
Like silver dross laid over an earthen vessel, so are burning lips with a bad heart.
24 One who hates others disguises his feelings with his lips and he lays up deceit within himself.
With his lips dissembleth he that hateth, and within himself layeth he up deceit:
25 He will speak graciously, but do not believe him, for there are seven abominations in his heart.
Though he make his voice sound ever so graciously, believe him not; for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 Though his hatred is covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
If one's hatred be covered by deception, then shall be laid bare his wickedness before a [whole] assembly.
27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it and the stone will roll back on the one who pushed it.
Whoso diggeth a pit will fall therein; and upon him that rolleth a stone, will it return.
28 A lying tongue hates the people it crushes and a flattering mouth brings about ruin.
A lying tongue hateth those that are crushed by it; and a flattering mouth prepareth [others'] downfall.
