Proverbs 26
1 As the snowe in the sommer, and as the raine in the haruest are not meete, so is honour vnseemely for a foole.
Honoring someone stupid is as inappropriate as snow in the summer or rain during harvest.
2 As the sparowe by flying, and the swallow by flying escape, so the curse that is causeles, shall not come.
A curse that isn't deserved won't land on the person, like a fluttering sparrow or a flitting swallow.
3 Vnto the horse belongeth a whip, to the asse a bridle, and a rod to the fooles backe.
Horses need a whip, donkeys need a bridle, and stupid people need a rod on their backs!
4 Answer not a foole according to his foolishnes, least thou also be like him.
Don't answer stupid people following their stupidity, or you'll become as bad as them.
5 Answere a foole according to his foolishnes, least he be wise in his owne conceite.
Answer stupid people following their stupidity, otherwise they'll think they're wise.
6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a foole, is as he that cutteth off the feete, and drinketh iniquitie.
Trusting someone stupid to deliver a message is like cutting of your feet or drinking poison.
7 As they that lift vp the legs of the lame, so is a parable in a fooles mouth.
A proverb spoken by someone stupid is as useless as a lame person's legs.
8 As the closing vp of a precious stone in an heape of stones, so is he that giueth glory to a foole.
Honoring someone stupid is as pointless as tying a stone into a sling.
9 As a thorne standing vp in the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fooles.
A proverb spoken by someone stupid is as ridiculous as a thorn bush waved around by a drunk.
10 The excellent that formed all things, both rewardeth the foole and rewardeth the transgressers.
Anyone who hires someone stupid or just a passer-by is like an archer wounding people by shooting arrows at random.
11 As a dog turneth againe to his owne vomit, so a foole turneth to his foolishnes.
Stupid people repeat their stupidity like a dog returning to its vomit.
12 Seest thou a man wise in his owne conceite? more hope is of a foole then of him.
Have you seen a man who is wise in his own eyes? There's more hope for stupid people than for him!
13 The slouthfull man sayth, A lyon is in the way: a lyon is in the streetes.
Lazy people are the ones who say, “There's a lion on the road—a lion running around the streets!”
14 As the doore turneth vpon his hinges, so doeth the slouthfull man vpon his bed.
A lazy person turns in bed like a door turns on its hinge.
15 The slouthfull hideth his hand in his bosome, and it grieueth him to put it againe to his mouth.
Lazy people put their hands in a dish, but are too tired to lift the food to their mouths.
16 The sluggard is wiser in his owne conceite, then seuen men that can render a reason.
In their own eyes lazy people are wiser than many sensible advisors.
17 He that passeth by and medleth with the strife that belongeth not vnto him, is as one that taketh a dog by the eares.
Interfering in someone else's quarrel is like grabbing a stray dog by the ears.
18 As he that faineth himselfe mad, casteth fire brands, arrowes, and mortall things,
You're like a crazy person firing off blazing arrows and killing people
19 So dealeth the deceitfull man with his friend and sayth, Am not I in sport?
if you lie to your friend and then say, “I was only joking!”
20 Without wood the fire is quenched, and without a talebearer strife ceaseth.
Without wood, the fire goes out; and without gossips, arguments stop.
21 As ye cole maketh burning coles, and wood a fire, so the contentious man is apt to kindle strife.
An argumentative person fires up quarrels like putting charcoal on hot embers or wood on a fire.
22 The wordes of a tale bearer are as flatterings, and they goe downe into the bowels of the belly.
Listening to gossip is like gulping down bites of your favorite food—they go deep down inside you.
23 As siluer drosse ouerlayde vpon a potsheard, so are burning lips, and an euill heart.
Smooth talking with evil intent is like a shiny lead glaze on an earthenware pot.
24 He that hateth, will counterfaite with his lips, but in his heart he layeth vp deceite.
People say nice things to you even though they hate you; deep down they're just lying to you.
25 Though he speake fauourably, beleeue him not: for there are seuen abominations in his heart.
When people talk nicely to you, don't believe them—their minds are full of hate for you.
26 Hatred may be couered by deceite: but the malice thereof shall be discouered in the congregation.
Even though their hatred may be hidden by cunning tricks, their evil will be revealed to everyone.
27 He that diggeth a pit shall fall therein, and he that rolleth a stone, it shall returne vnto him.
Those who dig pits to trap others will fall in themselves, and those who start boulders rolling will be crushed themselves.
28 A false tongue hateth the afflicted, and a flattering mouth causeth ruine.
If you tell lies, you show you hate your victims; if you flatter people, you cause disaster.
