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 honor is not becoming to a fool.

2 As the sparrow for flitting about, as the swallow for flying, so a curse undeserved shall not come.

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 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 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 proverb 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 a bag of gems in a stoneheap, so is he that giveth honour 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 goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a proverb 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 A master roughly worketh every one: he both hireth the fool and hireth passers-by.

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

11 As a dog turneth back to its vomit, [so] a fool repeateth his folly.

As a dog returneth to that which he hath vomited, So a fool repeateth 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; There is a lion in the streets.”

14 [As] the door turneth upon its hinges, so 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 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 who 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.

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 a man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am I not in sport?

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

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

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

21 [As] coals for hot coals, and wood for 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 talebearer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

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

23 Ardent lips, and a wicked heart, are [as] 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 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.

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 that are injured by it, and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.

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