Proverbs 26

1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour 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 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 thou also be like unto him.

Don’t 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 sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, [and] drinketh 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 bindeth a stone in a sling, so [is] he that giveth 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 goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so [is] a parable in the mouth of fools.

Like a thorn bush 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 rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth 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 returneth to his vomit, [so] a fool returneth to his folly.

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

12 Seest thou 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] saith, [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 turneth upon his hinges, so [doth] the slothful upon his bed.

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

15 The slothful hideth his hand in [his] bosom; it grieveth 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 passeth by, [and] meddleth with strife [belonging] not to him, [is like] one that taketh 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 casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,

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

19 So [is] the man [that] deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, 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 goeth out: so where [there is] no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.

For lack of wood a fire goes out. Without gossip, a quarrel dies down.

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 whisperer are as dainty 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 hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;

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

25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for [there are] seven abominations in his heart.

When his speech is charming, don’t believe him, for there are seven abominations in his heart.

26 [Whose] hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the [whole] congregation.

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

27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth 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 hateth [those that are] afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.

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