Proverbs 26

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

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

2 As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.

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 ass, and a rod for the fool's back.

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 you also be like unto 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 that sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off the feet, and drinks damage.

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

7 The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable 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 that binds a stone in a sling, so is he that gives honour 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 goes up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouths of fools.

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

10 The great God that formed all things both rewards the fool, and rewards transgressors.

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 returns to his vomit, so a fool returns to his folly.

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

12 See you a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of 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 slothful man 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 As the door turns upon his hinges, so does the slothful upon his bed.

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

15 The slothful hides his hand in his bosom; it grieves 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 that can render a reason.

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

17 He that passes by, and meddles with strife belonging not to him, is like one that 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 mad man who casts firebrands, arrows, and death,

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

19 So is the man that deceives his neighbour, and says, Am not I in sport?

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

20 Where no wood is, there the fire goes out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceases.

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

21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.

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

22 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

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

23 Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.

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

24 He that hates dissembles with his lips, and lays up deceit within him;

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

25 When he speaks fair, 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 Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be showed before the whole congregation.

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

27 Whoso digs a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolls a stone, it will 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 that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth works ruin.

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