Proverbs 26
1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.
As dew in harvest, and as rain in summer, so honour is not [seemly] for a fool.
2 As the sparrow in her wandering, as the swallow in her flying, so the curse that is causeless lighteth not.
As birds and sparrows fly, so a curse shall not come upon any one without a cause.
3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the back of fools.
As a whip for a horse, and a goad for an ass, so [is] a rod for a simple nation.
4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou become like him.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
Yet answer a fool according to his folly, lest he seem wise in his own conceit.
6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off [his own] feet, [and] drinketh in damage.
He that sends a message by a foolish messenger procures for himself a reproach from his own ways.
7 The legs of the lame hang loose: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
[As well] take away the motion of the legs, as transgression from the mouth of fools.
8 As a bag of gems in a heap of stones, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
He that binds up a stone in a sling, is like one that gives glory to a fool.
9 [As] a thorn that goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the month of fools.
Thorns grow in the hand of a drunkard, and servitude in the hand of fools.
10 [As] an archer that woundeth all, so is he that hireth the fool and he that hireth them that pass by.
All the flesh of fools endures much hardship; for their fury is brought to nought.
11 As a dog that returneth to his vomit, [so is] a fool that repeateth his folly.
As when a dog goes to his own vomit, and becomes abominable, so is fool who returns in his wickedness to his own sin. [There is a shame that brings sin: and there is a shame [that is] glory and grace.]
12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
I have seen a man who seemed to himself to be wise; but a fool had more hope than he.
13 The sluggard saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
A sluggard when sent on a journey says, [There is] a lion in the ways, and [there are] murderers in the streets.
14 [As] the door turneth upon its hinges, so doth the sluggard upon his bed.
As a door turns on the hinge, so does a sluggard on his bed.
15 The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish; it wearieth him to bring it again to his mouth.
A sluggard having hid his hand in his bosom, will not be able to bring it up to his mouth.
16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
A sluggard seems to himself wiser than one who most satisfactorily brings back a message.
17 He that passeth by, [and] vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him, is [like] one that taketh a dog by the ears.
As he that lays hold of a dog's tail, so is he that makes himself the champion of another's cause.
18 As a madman who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death;
As those who need correction put forth [fair] words to men, and he that first falls in with the proposal will be overthrown;
19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
so are all that lay wait for their own friends, and when they are discovered, say, I did it in jest.
20 For lack of wood the fire goeth out: and where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth.
With much wood fire increases; but where there is not a double-minded man, strife ceases.
21 [As] coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to inflame strife.
A hearth for coals, and wood for fire; and railing man for the tumult of strife.
22 The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
The words of cunning knaves are soft; but they smite [even] to the inmost parts of the bowels.
23 Fervent lips and a wicked heart are [like] an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.
Silver dishonestly given is to be considered as a potsherd: smooth lips cover a grievous heart.
24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, but he layeth up deceit within him:
A weeping enemy promises all things with his lips, but in his heart he contrives deceit.
25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not; for there are seven abominations in his heart:
Though [thine] enemy intreat thee with a loud voice, consent not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 Though [his] hatred cover itself with guile, his wickedness shall be openly shewed before the congregation.
He that hides enmity frames deceit: but being easily discerned, exposes his own sins in the public assemblies.
27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.
He that digs a pit for his neighbour shall fall into it: and he that rolls a stone, rolls it upon himself.
28 A lying tongue hateth those whom it hath wounded; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
A lying tongue hates the truth; and an unguarded mouth causes tumults.
