Proverbs 26
1 As snow in summer, and rain in harvest, so glory is not seemly for a fool.
Like snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.
2 As a bird flying to other places, and a sparrow going here or there: so a curse uttered without cause shall come upon a man.
Like a fluttering sparrow, like a darting swallow, so the undeserved curse doesn’t come to rest.
3 A whip for a horse, and a snaffle for an 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 be made like 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 imagine himself to be wise.
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.
6 He that sendeth words by a foolish messenger, is lame of feet and drinketh iniquity.
One who sends a message by the hand of a fool is cutting off feet and drinking violence.
7 As a lame man hath fair legs in vain: so a parable is unseemly 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 he that casteth a stone into the heap of Mercury: so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
As one who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honor to a fool.
9 As if a thorn should grow in the hand of a drunkard: so is a parable 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 Judgment determineth causes: and he that putteth a fool to silence, appeaseth anger.
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 that returneth to his vomit, so is the fool that 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 conceit? there shall be 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 slothful man saith: There is a lion in the way, and a lioness in the roads.
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 doth the slothful upon his bed.
As the door turns on its hinges, so does the sluggard on his bed.
15 The slothful hideth his hand under his armpit, and it grieveth him to turn it to his mouth.
The sluggard buries his hand in the dish. He is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.
16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit, than seven men that speak sentences.
The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer with discretion.
17 As he that taketh a dog by the ears, so is he that passeth by in anger, and meddleth with another man’s quarrel.
Like one who grabs a dog’s ears is one who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own.
18 As he is guilty that shooteth arrows, and lances unto death:
Like a madman who shoots torches, arrows, and death,
19 So is the man that hurteth his friend deceitfully: and when he is taken, saith: I did it in jest.
is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “Am I not joking?”
20 When the wood faileth, the fire shall go out: and when the talebearer is taken away, contentions shall cease.
For lack of wood a fire goes out. Without gossip, a quarrel dies down.
21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire, so an angry man stirreth up 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 it were simple, but they reach to the innermost parts of the belly.
The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, they go down into the innermost parts.
23 Swelling lips joined with a corrupt heart, are like an earthen vessel adorned with silver dross.
Like silver dross on an earthen vessel are the lips of a fervent one with an evil heart.
24 An enemy is known by his lips, when in his heart he entertaineth deceit.
A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, but he harbors evil in his heart.
25 When he shall speak low, trust him not: because there are seven mischiefs in his heart.
When his speech is charming, don’t believe him, for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 He that covereth hatred deceitfully, his malice shall be laid open in the public assembly.
His malice may be concealed by deception, but his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
27 He that diggeth a pit, shall fall into it: and he that rolleth a stone, it shall return to him.
Whoever digs a pit shall fall into it. Whoever rolls a stone, it will come back on him.
28 A deceitful tongue loveth not truth: and a slippery mouth worketh ruin.
A lying tongue hates those it hurts; and a flattering mouth works ruin.
