Proverbs 26
1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest; so honor is not seemly for a fool.
As snow in summer, and rain in harvest, so glory is not seemly for a fool.
2 As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.
As a bird flying to other places, and a sparrow going here or there: so a curse uttered without cause shall come upon a man.
3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.
A whip for a horse, and a snaffle for an ass, and a rod for the back of fools.
4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like him.
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou be made like 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 imagine himself to be wise.
6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, [and] drinketh damage.
He that sendeth words by a foolish messenger, is lame of feet and drinketh iniquity.
7 The legs of the lame are not equal: so [is] a parable in the mouth of fools.
As a lame man hath fair legs in vain: so a parable is unseemly in the mouth of fools.
8 As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so [is] he that giveth honor to a fool.
As he that casteth a stone into the heap of Mercury: so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
9 [As] a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so [is] a parable in the mouth of fools.
As if a thorn should grow in the hand of a drunkard: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
10 The great [God] that formed all [things] both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.
Judgment determineth causes: and he that putteth a fool to silence, appeaseth anger.
11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, [so] a fool returneth to his folly.
As a dog that returneth to his vomit, so is the fool that 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 conceit? there shall be more hope of a fool than of him.
13 The slothful [man] saith, [There is] a lion in the way; a lion [is] in the streets.
The slothful man saith: There is a lion in the way, and a lioness in the roads.
14 [As] the door turneth upon its hinges, so [doth] the slothful upon his bed.
As the door turneth upon its hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
15 The slothful hideth [his] hand in [his] bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.
The slothful hideth his hand under his armpit, and it grieveth him to turn it 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 that speak sentences.
17 He that passeth by, [and] meddleth with strife [belonging] not to him, [is like] one that taketh a dog by the ears.
As he that taketh a dog by the ears, so is he that passeth by in anger, and meddleth with another man’s quarrel.
18 As a mad [man] who casteth fire-brands, arrows, and death,
As he is guilty that shooteth arrows, and lances unto death:
19 So [is] the man [that] deceiveth his neighbor, and saith, Am not I in sport?
So is the man that hurteth his friend deceitfully: and when he is taken, saith: I did it in jest.
20 Where no wood is, [there] the fire goeth out: so where [there is] no tale-bearer, the strife ceaseth.
When the wood faileth, the fire shall go out: and when the talebearer is taken away, contentions shall cease.
21 [As] coals [are] to burning coals, and wood to fire; so [is] a contentious man to kindle strife.
As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire, so an angry man stirreth up strife.
22 The words of a tale-bearer [are] as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
The words of a talebearer are as it were simple, but they reach to the innermost parts of the belly.
23 Burning lips and a wicked heart [are like] a potsherd covered with silver dross.
Swelling lips joined with a corrupt heart, are like an earthen vessel adorned with silver dross.
24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
An enemy is known by his lips, when in his heart he entertaineth deceit.
25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for [there are] seven abominations in his heart.
When he shall speak low, trust him not: because there are seven mischiefs in his heart.
26 [Whose] hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shown before the [whole] congregation.
He that covereth hatred deceitfully, his malice shall be laid open in the public assembly.
27 Whoever diggeth a pit shall fall into it: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
He that diggeth a pit, shall fall into it: and he that rolleth a stone, it shall return to him.
28 A lying tongue hateth [those that are] afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
A deceitful tongue loveth not truth: and a slippery mouth worketh ruin.
