Proverbs 26

1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour beseemeth not a fool.

Like snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not fitting for a fool.

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

Like a fluttering sparrow, like a darting swallow, so the undeserved curse doesn’t come to rest.

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 for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools!

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

Don’t answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like 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 eyes.

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

One who sends a message by the hand of a fool is cutting off feet and drinking violence.

7 The legs of the lame hang loose; so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

Like the legs of the lame that hang loose, 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 one who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives 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.

Like a thorn bush that goes 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.

As an archer who wounds all, so is he who hires a fool or he who hires those who pass by.

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

As a dog that returns to his vomit, so is a fool who repeats his folly.

12 Hast thou seen a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope of a fool than of him.

Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

13 The sluggard saith, There is a fierce lion in the way; a lion is in the midst of the streets!

The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! A fierce lion roams the streets!”

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

As the door turns on its hinges, so does the sluggard on his bed.

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

The sluggard buries his hand in the dish. He is too lazy to bring it back 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 eyes than seven men who answer with discretion.

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

Like one who grabs a dog’s ears is one who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own.

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

Like a madman who shoots torches, arrows, and death,

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

is the man who deceives his neighbour and says, “Am I not joking?”

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

For lack of wood a fire goes out. Without gossip, a quarrel dies down.

21 [As] coals for hot coals, and wood for fire, so is a contentious man to inflame strife.

As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to 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 whisperer are as dainty morsels, they go down into the innermost parts.

23 Ardent lips, and a wicked heart, are [as] an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.

Like silver dross on an earthen vessel are the lips of a fervent one with an evil heart.

24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, but he layeth up deceit within him:

A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, but he harbours evil in his heart.

25 when his voice is gracious, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart.

When his speech is charming, don’t believe him, 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 malice may be concealed by deception, but 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 shall fall into it. Whoever rolls a stone, it will come back on him.

28 A lying tongue hateth those that are injured by it, and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.

A lying tongue hates those it hurts; and a flattering mouth works ruin.