Proverbs 26

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

As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, So honor is not becoming to a fool.

2 As the sparrow in her wandering, as the swallow in her flying, So the curse that is causeless alighteth not.

As the sparrow wandereth, and the swallow flieth away, So the curse without cause shall not come.

3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, And a rod for the back of fools.

A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, And a rod for the back of the fool.

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 also become like to 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 conceit.

6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool Cutteth off [his own] feet, [and] drinketh in damage.

He cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage, Who sendeth a message by the hand of a fool.

7 The legs of the lame hang loose; So is a parable in the mouth of fools.

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

8 As one that bindeth a stone in a sling, So is he that giveth honor to a fool.

As he who bindeth a stone in a sling, So is he that giveth honor to a fool.

9 [As] a thorn that goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, So is a parable in the mouth of fools.

As a thorn lifted up by the hand of a drunkard, So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

10 [As] an archer that woundeth all, So is he that hireth a fool and he that hireth them that pass by.

As an archer who woundeth every one, So is he who hireth fools and hireth wayfarers.

11 As a dog that returneth to his vomit, [So is] a fool that repeateth his folly.

As a dog returneth to that which he hath vomited, So a fool repeateth his folly.

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

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

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

The slothful man saith, “There is a lion in the way; There is a lion in the streets.”

14 [As] the door turneth upon its hinges, So doth the sluggard upon his bed.

As a door turneth upon its hinges, So doth the sluggard upon his bed.

15 The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish; It wearieth him to bring it again to his mouth.

The sluggard dippeth his hand into the dish; It grieveth him to bring it again 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 conceit Than seven men who can render a reason.

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 one that taketh a dog by the ears, So is he who, passing by, is enraged on account of the quarrel of another.

18 As a madman who casteth firebrands, Arrows, and death,

As a madman That casteth about darts, arrows, and death,

19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbor, And saith, Am not I in sport?

So is the man who deceiveth his neighbor, And saith, “Was I not in sport?”

20 For lack of wood the fire goeth out; And where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth.

Where there is no wood, the fire goeth out; So, where there is no talebearer, contention ceaseth.

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

As coal is for heat, and as wood for fire, So is a contentious man for kindling strife.

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

The words of a talebearer are like dainties; For they go down to the innermost parts of the body.

23 Fervent lips and a wicked heart Are [like] an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.

As drossy silver spread over an earthen vessel, So are warm lips and an evil heart.

24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips; But he layeth up deceit within him:

The hater dissembleth with his lips, And layeth up deceit within him.

25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not; For there are seven abominations in his heart:

When he speaketh fair, believe him not! For there are seven abominations in his heart.

26 Though [his] hatred cover itself with guile, His wickedness shall be openly showed before the assembly.

His hatred is covered by deceit; His wickedness shall be revealed in the great assembly.

27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein; And he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.

He that diggeth a pit shall fall therein; And he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.

28 A lying tongue hateth those whom it hath wounded; And a flattering mouth worketh ruin.

A lying tongue hateth those whom it woundeth, And a flattering mouth worketh ruin.