Proverbs 26
1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, So honour [is] not comely for a fool.
As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, So honor [is] not fitting for a fool.
2 As a bird by wandering, as a swallow by flying, So reviling without cause doth not come.
As a bird by wandering, as a swallow by flying, So reviling without cause does not come.
3 A whip is for a horse, a bridle for an ass, And a rod for the back of fools.
A whip is for a horse, a bridle for a donkey, And a rod for the back of fools.
4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, Lest thou be like to him — even thou.
Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Lest you are like to him—even you.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes.
Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he is wise in his own eyes.
6 He is cutting off feet, he is drinking injury, Who is sending things by the hand of a fool.
He is cutting off feet, he is drinking injury, Who is sending things by the hand of a fool.
7 Weak have been the two legs of the lame, And a parable in the mouth of fools.
The two legs of the lame have been weak, And an allegory in the mouth of fools.
8 As one who is binding a stone in a sling, So [is] he who is giving honour to a fool.
As one who is binding a stone in a sling, So [is] he who is giving honor to a fool.
9 A thorn hath gone up into the hand of a drunkard, And a parable in the mouth of fools.
A thorn has gone up into the hand of a drunkard, And an allegory in the mouth of fools.
10 Great [is] the Former of all, And He is rewarding a fool, And is rewarding transgressors.
The Former of all [is] great, And He is rewarding a fool, And is rewarding transgressors.
11 As a dog hath returned to its vomit, A fool is repeating his folly.
As a dog has returned to its vomit, A fool is repeating his folly.
12 Thou hast seen a man wise in his own eyes, More hope of a fool than of him!
You have seen a man wise in his own eyes, More hope of a fool than of him!
13 The slothful hath said, 'A lion [is] in the way, A lion [is] in the broad places.'
The slothful has said, “A lion [is] in the way, A lion [is] in the broad places.”
14 The door turneth round on its hinge, And the slothful on his bed.
The door turns around on its hinge, And the slothful on his bed.
15 The slothful hath hid his hand in a dish, He is weary of bringing it back to his mouth.
The slothful has hid his hand in a dish, He is weary of bringing it back to his mouth.
16 Wiser [is] the slothful in his own eyes, Than seven [men] returning a reason.
Wiser [is] the slothful in his own eyes, Than seven [men] returning a reason.
17 Laying hold on the ears of a dog, [Is] a passer-by making himself wrath for strife not his own.
Laying hold on the ears of a dog, [Is] a passer-by making himself wrath for strife [that is] not his own.
18 As [one] pretending to be feeble, Who is casting sparks, arrows, and death,
As [one] pretending to be feeble, Who is casting sparks, arrows, and death,
19 So hath a man deceived his neighbour, And hath said, 'Am not I playing?'
So has a man deceived his neighbor, And has said, “Am I not playing?”
20 Without wood is fire going out, And without a tale-bearer, contention ceaseth,
Fire is going out without wood, And contention ceases without a tale-bearer,
21 Coal to burning coals, and wood to fire, And a man of contentions to kindle strife.
Coal to burning coals, and wood to fire, And a man of contentions to kindle strife.
22 The words of a tale-bearer [are] as self-inflicted wounds, And they have gone down [to] the inner parts of the heart.
The words of a tale-bearer [are] as self-inflicted wounds, And they have gone down [to] the inner parts of the heart.
23 Silver of dross spread over potsherd, [Are] burning lips and an evil heart.
Silver of dross spread over potsherd, [Are] burning lips and an evil heart.
24 By his lips doth a hater dissemble, And in his heart he placeth deceit,
A hater pretends by his lips, And he places deceit in his heart,
25 When his voice is gracious trust not in him, For seven abominations [are] in his heart.
When his voice is gracious do not trust in him, For seven abominations [are] in his heart.
26 Hatred is covered by deceit, Revealed is its wickedness in an assembly.
Hatred is covered by deceit, Its wickedness is revealed in an assembly.
27 Whoso is digging a pit falleth into it, And the roller of a stone, to him it turneth.
Whoever is digging a pit falls into it, And the roller of a stone, it turns to him.
28 A lying tongue hateth its bruised ones, And a flattering mouth worketh an overthrow!
A lying tongue hates its bruised ones, And a flattering mouth works an overthrow!
