Proverbs 26
1 Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, so a fool does not deserve honor.
As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, So honor is not becoming to a fool.
2 As the sparrow flitters and the swallow darts when they fly, so an undeserved curse does not alight.
As the sparrow wandereth, and the swallow flieth away, So the curse without cause shall not come.
3 A whip is for the horse, a bridle is for the donkey and a rod is for the back of fools.
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, And a rod for the back of the fool.
4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will become like him.
Answer not a fool according to his folly, Lest thou also become like to 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 conceit.
6 Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.
He cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage, Who sendeth a message by the hand of a fool.
7 Like the legs of a paralytic which hang down is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
The legs of a lame man hang loose; So is it with a proverb in the mouth of fools.
8 Like tying a stone in a sling is giving honor to a fool.
As he who bindeth a stone 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 lifted up by the hand of a drunkard, So is a proverb 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.
As an archer who woundeth every one, So is he who hireth fools and hireth wayfarers.
11 As a dog returns to his own vomit, so is a fool who repeats his folly.
As a dog returneth to that which he hath vomited, So a fool repeateth his folly.
12 Do you see someone who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him.
13 The lazy person says, “There is a lion on the road! There is a lion between the open places!”
The slothful man saith, “There is a lion in the way; There is a lion in 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 sluggard 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.
The sluggard dippeth his hand into the dish; It grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.
16 The lazy person is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who respond with good judgment.
The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit Than seven men who can render a reason.
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 one that taketh a dog by the ears, So is he who, passing by, is enraged on account of the quarrel of another.
18 Like a madman who shoots burning arrows,
As a madman That casteth about darts, arrows, and death,
19 is the one who deceives his neighbor and says, “Was I not telling a joke?”
So is the man who deceiveth his neighbor, And saith, “Was I not in sport?”
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 talebearer, contention ceaseth.
21 As charcoal is to burning coals and wood is to fire, so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.
As coal is for heat, and as wood for fire, So is a contentious man for kindling strife.
22 The words of a gossip are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.
The words of a talebearer are like dainties; For they go down to the innermost parts of the body.
23 Like the glaze overlaying an earthen vessel so are burning lips and an evil heart.
As drossy silver spread over an earthen vessel, So are warm lips and an evil heart.
24 One who hates others disguises his feelings with his lips and he lays up deceit within himself.
The hater dissembleth with his lips, And layeth up deceit within him.
25 He will speak graciously, but do not believe him, for there are seven abominations in his heart.
When he speaketh fair, 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.
His hatred is covered by deceit; His wickedness shall be revealed in the great assembly.
27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it and the stone will roll back on the one who pushed it.
He that diggeth a pit shall fall therein; And he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.
28 A lying tongue hates the people it crushes and a flattering mouth brings about ruin.
A lying tongue hateth those whom it woundeth, And a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
