Proverbs 26

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

Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, so a fool does not deserve honor.

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

As the sparrow flitters and the swallow darts when they fly, so an undeserved curse does not alight.

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

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

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

Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will become like him.

5 Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own conceit.

Answer a fool and join in on his folly, so he will not become wise in his own eyes.

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

Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.

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

Like the legs of a paralytic which hang down is 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.

Like tying a stone in a sling is giving 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.

Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard 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.

Like an archer who wounds all those around him is one who hires a fool or hires anyone who passes by.

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

As a dog returns to his own 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 someone who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

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

The lazy person says, “There is a lion on the road! There is a lion between the open places!”

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

As the door turns on its hinges, so is the lazy person upon his bed.

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

The lazy person puts his hand into the dish and yet he has no strength to lift it up to his mouth.

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

The lazy person is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who respond with good judgment.

17 He that passeth by, [and] vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him, Is [like] one that taketh a dog by the ears.

Like one who takes hold of the ears of a dog, is a passerby who becomes angry at a dispute that is not his own.

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

Like a madman who shoots burning arrows,

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

is the one who deceives his neighbor and says, “Was I not telling a joke?”

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

For lack of wood, the fire goes out; and where there is no gossiper quarreling ceases.

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

As charcoal is to burning coals and wood is to fire, so is a quarrelsome person 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 gossip are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.

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

Like the glaze overlaying an earthen vessel so are burning lips and an evil heart.

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

One who hates others disguises his feelings with his lips and he lays up deceit within himself.

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

He will speak graciously, but 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 showed before the assembly.

Though his hatred is covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.

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

Whoever digs a pit will fall into it and the stone will roll back on the one who pushed it.

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

A lying tongue hates the people it crushes and a flattering mouth brings about ruin.