Proverbs 26
1 As snow in somer, and reyn in heruest; so glorie is vnsemeli to a fool.
As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not suitable 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 the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.
3 Beting to an hors, and a bernacle to an asse; and a yerde in the bak of vnprudent men.
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.
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 you also be like unto 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 be wise in his own conceit.
6 An haltinge man in feet, and drinkinge wickidnesse, he that sendith wordis by a fonned messanger.
He that sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off the feet, and drinks damage.
7 As an haltinge man hath faire leggis in veyn; so a parable is vnsemeli in the mouth of foolis.
The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable 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 binds a stone in a sling, so is he that gives 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 a thorn goes up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouths of fools.
10 Doom determyneth causis; and he that settith silence to a fool, swagith iris.
The great God that formed all things both rewards the fool, and rewards transgressors.
11 As a dogge that turneth ayen to his spuyng; so is an vnprudent man, that rehersith his fooli.
As a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool returns to his folly.
12 Thou hast seyn a man seme wijs to hym silf; an vnkunnyng man schal haue hope more than he.
See you a man wise in his own conceit? there is 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 says, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
14 As a dore is turned in his hengis; so a slow man in his bed.
As the door turns upon his hinges, so does 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 hides his hand in his bosom; it grieves him to bring it again 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 can render a reason.
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.
He that passes by, and meddles with strife belonging not to him, is like one that takes a dog by the ears.
18 As he is gilti, that sendith speris and arowis in to deth;
As a mad man who casts firebrands, arrows, and 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 deceives his neighbour, and says, Am not I in sport?
20 Whanne trees failen, the fier schal be quenchid; and whanne a priuy bacbitere is withdrawun, stryues resten.
Where no wood is, there the fire goes out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceases.
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 is a contentious man to kindle 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 wounds, and they go down into 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.
Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
24 An enemy is vndirstondun bi hise lippis, whanne he tretith giles in the herte.
He that hates dissembles with his lips, and lays up deceit within him;
25 Whanne he `makith low his vois, bileue thou not to hym; for seuene wickidnessis ben in his herte.
When he speaks fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 The malice of hym that hilith hatrede gilefuli, schal be schewid in a counsel.
Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be showed before the whole congregation.
27 He that delueth a diche, schal falle in to it; and if a man walewith a stoon, it schal turne ayen to hym.
Whoso digs a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolls a stone, it will return upon him.
28 A fals tunge loueth not treuth; and a slidir mouth worchith fallyngis.
A lying tongue hates those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth works ruin.
