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.
As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honor is not seemly for a fool.
2 As the sparowe by flying, and the swallow by flying escape, so the curse that is causeles, shall not come.
As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.
3 Vnto the horse belongeth a whip, to the asse a bridle, and a rod to the fooles backe.
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back.
4 Answer not a foole according to his foolishnes, least thou also be like him.
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like to him.
5 Answere a foole according to his foolishnes, least he be wise in his owne conceite.
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 foole, is as he that cutteth off the feete, and drinketh iniquitie.
He that sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off the feet, and drinks damage.
7 As they that lift vp the legs of the lame, so is a parable in a fooles mouth.
The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
8 As the closing vp of a precious stone in an heape of stones, so is he that giueth glory to a foole.
As he that binds a stone in a sling, so is he that gives honor to a fool.
9 As a thorne standing vp in the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fooles.
As a thorn goes up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouths of fools.
10 The excellent that formed all things, both rewardeth the foole and rewardeth the transgressers.
The great God that formed all things both rewards the fool, and rewards transgressors.
11 As a dog turneth againe to his owne vomit, so a foole turneth to his foolishnes.
As a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool returns to his folly.
12 Seest thou a man wise in his owne conceite? more hope is of a foole then of him.
See you a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
13 The slouthfull man sayth, A lyon is in the way: a lyon is in the streetes.
The slothful man says, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
14 As the doore turneth vpon his hinges, so doeth the slouthfull man vpon his bed.
As the door turns on his hinges, so does the slothful on his bed.
15 The slouthfull hideth his hand in his bosome, and it grieueth him to put it againe to his mouth.
The slothful hides his hand in his bosom; it grieves him to bring it again to his mouth.
16 The sluggard is wiser in his owne conceite, then seuen men that can render a reason.
The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
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.
He that passes by, and meddles with strife belonging not to him, is like one that takes a dog by the ears.
18 As he that faineth himselfe mad, casteth fire brands, arrowes, and mortall things,
As a mad man who casts firebrands, arrows, and death,
19 So dealeth the deceitfull man with his friend and sayth, Am not I in sport?
So is the man that deceives his neighbor, and says, Am not I in sport?
20 Without wood the fire is quenched, and without a talebearer strife ceaseth.
Where no wood is, there the fire goes out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceases.
21 As ye cole maketh burning coles, and wood a fire, so the contentious man is apt to kindle strife.
As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
22 The wordes of a tale bearer are as flatterings, and they goe downe into the bowels of the belly.
The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
23 As siluer drosse ouerlayde vpon a potsheard, so are burning lips, and an euill heart.
Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
24 He that hateth, will counterfaite with his lips, but in his heart he layeth vp deceite.
He that hates dissembles with his lips, and lays up deceit within him;
25 Though he speake fauourably, beleeue him not: for there are seuen abominations in his heart.
When he speaks fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 Hatred may be couered by deceite: but the malice thereof shall be discouered in the congregation.
Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be showed before the whole congregation.
27 He that diggeth a pit shall fall therein, and he that rolleth a stone, it shall returne vnto him.
Whoever digs a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolls a stone, it will return on him.
28 A false tongue hateth the afflicted, and a flattering mouth causeth ruine.
A lying tongue hates those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth works ruin.
