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 as rain in harvest, so honour 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 the wandering sparrow, as the flying swallow, so the curse that is causeless shall come home.
3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.
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 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 the feet, [and] drinketh 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 are not equal: so [is] a parable in the mouth of fools.
The legs hang limp from the lame; so is a parable 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 a small stone in a heap of stones, 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 a thorn that cometh into 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.
A master performeth all things; but he that stoppeth a fool is as one that stoppeth a flood.
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 a 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.
Seest thou a man wise in his own eyes? there is 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 sluggard saith: 'There is a lion in the way; yea, a lion is in the streets.'
14 [As] the door turneth upon its hinges, so [doth] the slothful upon his bed.
The door is turning upon its hinges, and the sluggard is still upon his bed.
15 The slothful hideth [his] hand in [his] bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.
The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish; it wearieth him to bring it back 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 eyes than seven men that give wise answer.
17 He that passeth by, [and] meddleth with strife [belonging] not to him, [is like] one that taketh a dog by the ears.
He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife not his own, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
18 As a mad [man] who casteth fire-brands, arrows, and death,
As a madman who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death;
19 So [is] the man [that] deceiveth his neighbor, and saith, Am not I in sport?
So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith: 'Am not I in sport?'
20 Where no wood is, [there] the fire goeth out: so where [there is] no tale-bearer, the strife ceaseth.
Where no wood is, the fire goeth out; and where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth.
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 is a contentious man to kindle 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 whisperer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the body.
23 Burning lips and a wicked heart [are like] a potsherd covered with silver dross.
Burning lips and a wicked heart are like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.
24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and 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 he speaketh fair, believe him not; for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 [Whose] hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shown before the [whole] congregation.
Though his hatred be concealed with deceit, his wickedness shall be revealed before the congregation.
27 Whoever diggeth a pit shall fall into it: and he that rolleth a stone, it will 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 that are] afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
A lying tongue hateth those that are crushed by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
