Proverbs 26
1 As snow in somer, and reyn in heruest; so glorie is vnsemeli to a fool.
As snow in summer, and rain in harvest, so glory is not seemly for a fool.
2 For whi as a brid fliynge ouer to hiy thingis, and a sparowe goynge in to vncerteyn; so cursing brouyt forth with out resonable cause schal come aboue in to sum man.
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 Beting to an hors, and a bernacle to an asse; and a yerde in the bak of vnprudent men.
A whip for a horse, and a snaffle for an ass, and a rod for the back of fools.
4 Answere thou not to a fool bi his foli, lest thou be maad lijk hym.
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou be made like him.
5 Answere thou a fool bi his fooli, lest he seme to him silf to be wijs.
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he imagine himself to be wise.
6 An haltinge man in feet, and drinkinge wickidnesse, he that sendith wordis by a fonned messanger.
He that sendeth words by a foolish messenger, is lame of feet and drinketh iniquity.
7 As an haltinge man hath faire leggis in veyn; so a parable is vnsemeli in the mouth of foolis.
As a lame man hath fair legs in vain: so a parable is unseemly in the mouth of fools.
8 As he that casteth a stoon in to an heep of mercurie; so he that yyueth onour to an vnwijs man.
As he that casteth a stone into the heap of Mercury: so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
9 As if a thorn growith in the hond of a drunkun man; so a parable in the mouth of foolis.
As if a thorn should grow in the hand of a drunkard: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
10 Doom determyneth causis; and he that settith silence to a fool, swagith iris.
Judgment determineth causes: and he that putteth a fool to silence, appeaseth anger.
11 As a dogge that turneth ayen to his spuyng; so is an vnprudent man, that rehersith his fooli.
As a dog that returneth to his vomit, so is the fool that repeateth his folly.
12 Thou hast seyn a man seme wijs to hym silf; an vnkunnyng man schal haue hope more than he.
Hast thou seen a man wise in his own conceit? there shall be more hope of a fool than of him.
13 A slow man seith, A lioun is in the weie, a liounnesse is in the foot pathis.
The slothful man saith: There is a lion in the way, and a lioness in the roads.
14 As a dore is turned in his hengis; so a slow man in his bed.
As the door turneth upon its hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
15 A slow man hidith hise hondis vndur his armpit; and he trauelith, if he turneth tho to his mouth.
The slothful hideth his hand under his armpit, and it grieveth him to turn it to his mouth.
16 A slow man semeth wysere to hym silf, than seuene men spekynge sentensis.
The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit, than seven men that speak sentences.
17 As he that takith a dogge bi the eeris; so he that passith, and is vnpacient, and is meddlid with the chiding of anothir man.
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 he is gilti, that sendith speris and arowis in to deth;
As he is guilty that shooteth arrows, and lances unto death:
19 so a man that anoieth gilefuli his frend, and whanne he is takun, he schal seie, Y dide pleiynge.
So is the man that hurteth his friend deceitfully: and when he is taken, saith: I did it in jest.
20 Whanne trees failen, the fier schal be quenchid; and whanne a priuy bacbitere is withdrawun, stryues resten.
When the wood faileth, the fire shall go out: and when the talebearer is taken away, contentions shall cease.
21 As deed coolis at quic coolis, and trees at the fier; so a wrathful man reisith chidyngis.
As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire, so an angry man stirreth up strife.
22 The wordis of a pryuei bacbitere ben as symple; and tho comen til to the ynneste thingis of the herte.
The words of a talebearer are as it were simple, but they reach to the innermost parts of the belly.
23 As if thou wolt ourne a vessel of erthe with foul siluer; so ben bolnynge lippis felouschipid with `the werste herte.
Swelling lips joined with a corrupt heart, are like an earthen vessel adorned with silver dross.
24 An enemy is vndirstondun bi hise lippis, whanne he tretith giles in the herte.
An enemy is known by his lips, when in his heart he entertaineth deceit.
25 Whanne he `makith low his vois, bileue thou not to hym; for seuene wickidnessis ben in his herte.
When he shall speak low, trust him not: because there are seven mischiefs in his heart.
26 The malice of hym that hilith hatrede gilefuli, schal be schewid in a counsel.
He that covereth hatred deceitfully, his malice shall be laid open in the public assembly.
27 He that delueth a diche, schal falle in to it; and if a man walewith a stoon, it schal turne ayen to hym.
He that diggeth a pit, shall fall into it: and he that rolleth a stone, it shall return to him.
28 A fals tunge loueth not treuth; and a slidir mouth worchith fallyngis.
A deceitful tongue loveth not truth: and a slippery mouth worketh ruin.
