Proverbs 26

1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honor is not seemly for a fool.

Like snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.

2 As the sparrow in her wandering, as the swallow in her flying, so the curse that is causeless does not alight.

Like a fluttering sparrow, like a darting swallow, so the undeserved curse doesn't come to rest.

3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools.

A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools.

4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like to him.

Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be 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 be wise in his own eyes.

6 He who sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off the feet, and drinks injury.

One who sends a message by the hand of a fool is cutting off feet and drinking violence.

7 The legs of a lame man hang loose. So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

Like the legs of the lame that hang loose: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

8 As he who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honor to a fool.

As one who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honor to a fool.

9 As a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

Like a thornbush that goes into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

10 As an archer who wounds all, so is he who hires a fool, and he who hires those who pass by.

As an archer who wounds all, so is he who hires a fool or he who hires those who pass by.

11 As a dog who returns to his vomit, is a fool who repeats his folly.

As a dog that returns to his vomit, so is a fool who repeats his folly.

12 See thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope for a fool than of him.

Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

13 The sluggard says, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.

The sluggard says, "There is a lion in the road. A fierce lion roams the streets."

14 The door turns upon its hinges, so does the sluggard upon his bed.

As the door turns on its hinges, so does the sluggard on his bed.

15 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish. It wearies him to bring it again to his mouth.

The sluggard buries his hand in the dish. He is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.

16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men who can render a reason.

The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer with discretion.

17 He who passes by, and meddles with strife not his, is like he who takes a dog by the ears.

Like one who grabs a dog's ears is one who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own.

18 As a madman who casts firebrands, arrows, and death,

Like a madman who shoots firebrands, arrows, and death,

19 so is the man who deceives his neighbor, and says, Am I not in sport?

is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, "Am I not joking?"

20 For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, contention ceases.

Without wood a fire goes out. Without gossip, contention ceases.

21 As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to inflame strife.

As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindling strife.

22 The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts.

The words of a gossip are as tasty morsels, they go down into the innermost parts.

23 Fervent lips and a wicked heart are an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.

Like silver dross on an earthen vessel are the lips of a fervent one with an evil heart.

24 He who hates masquerades with his lips, but he lays up deceit within him.

A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, but he harbors evil in his heart.

25 When he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart.

When his speech is charming, do not believe him; for there are seven abominations in his heart.

26 Though his hatred cover itself with guile, his wickedness shall be openly shown before the assembly.

His malice may be concealed by deception, but his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.

27 He who digs a pit shall fall in it, and he who rolls a stone, it shall return upon him.

Whoever digs a pit shall fall into it. Whoever rolls a stone, it will come back on him.

28 A lying tongue hates those whom it has wounded, and a flattering mouth works ruin.

A lying tongue hates those it hurts; and a flattering mouth works ruin.