Proverbs 26
1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour beseemeth not a fool.
As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.
2 As the sparrow for flitting about, as the swallow for flying, so a curse undeserved shall not come.
As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless 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 fool’s back.
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 be like unto him.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.
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 damage.
He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, [and] drinketh damage.
7 The legs of the lame hang loose; so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
The legs of the lame are not equal: so [is] a parable in the mouth of fools.
8 As a bag of gems in a stoneheap, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so [is] he that giveth honour to a fool.
9 [As] a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
[As] a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so [is] a parable in the mouth of fools.
10 A master roughly worketh every one: he both hireth the fool and hireth passers-by.
The great [God] that formed all [things] both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.
11 As a dog turneth back to its vomit, [so] a fool repeateth his folly.
As a dog returneth to his vomit, [so] a fool returneth to his folly.
12 Hast thou seen a man wise in his own eyes? 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 fierce lion in the way; a lion is in the midst of the streets!
The slothful [man] saith, [There is] a lion in the way; a lion [is] in the streets.
14 [As] the door turneth upon its hinges, so the sluggard upon his bed.
[As] the door turneth upon his hinges, so [doth] the slothful upon his bed.
15 The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish: it wearieth him to bring it again to his mouth.
The slothful hideth his hand in [his] bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.
16 A sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven [men] that answer discreetly.
The sluggard [is] wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
17 He that passing by vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him, is [like] one that taketh a dog by the ears.
He that passeth by, [and] meddleth with strife [belonging] not to him, [is like] one that taketh a dog by the ears.
18 As a madman who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
As a mad [man] who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
19 so is a man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am I not in sport?
So [is] the man [that] deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
20 Where no wood is, the fire goeth out; and where there is no talebearer, the contention ceaseth.
Where no wood is, [there] the fire goeth out: so where [there is] no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
21 [As] coals for hot coals, and wood for fire, so is a contentious man to inflame strife.
[As] coals [are] to burning coals, and wood to fire; so [is] a contentious man to kindle strife.
22 The words of a talebearer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
The words of a talebearer [are] as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
23 Ardent lips, and a wicked heart, are [as] an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.
Burning lips and a wicked heart [are like] a potsherd covered with silver dross.
24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, but he layeth up deceit within him:
He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
25 when his voice is gracious, 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 is covered by dissimulation, his wickedness shall be made manifest in the congregation.
[Whose] hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the [whole] congregation.
27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein; and he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.
Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
28 A lying tongue hateth those that are injured by it, and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
A lying tongue hateth [those that are] afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
