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, unbecoming to a dullard is honour.

2 As the sparowe by flying, and the swallow by flying escape, so the curse that is causeles, shall not come.

As a sparrow in wandering, as a swallow in flying, so, a causeless curse, shall not alight.

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 back of dullards.

4 Answer not a foole according to his foolishnes, least thou also be like him.

Do not answer a dullard, according to his folly, lest, even thou thyself, become like him;

5 Answere a foole according to his foolishnes, least he be wise in his owne conceite.

Answer a dullard according to his folly, lest he become wise in his own eyes.

6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a foole, is as he that cutteth off the feete, and drinketh iniquitie.

One who cutteth off feet, one who drinketh down wrong, is he who sendeth a message by the hand of a dullard.

7 As they that lift vp the legs of the lame, so is a parable in a fooles mouth.

Useless are the legs of the lame, and a proverb, in the mouth of a dullard.

8 As the closing vp of a precious stone in an heape of stones, so is he that giueth glory to a foole.

Like tying a stone to a sling, so, is he that giveth honour, to a dullard.

9 As a thorne standing vp in the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fooles.

A brier cometh into the hand of a drunken-man, a proverb into the mouth of dullards.

10 The excellent that formed all things, both rewardeth the foole and rewardeth the transgressers.

[As] an archer who woundeth every thing, [so] one who hireth a dullard, and a drunkard crossing the sea.

11 As a dog turneth againe to his owne vomit, so a foole turneth to his foolishnes.

As, a dog, returneth onto his own vomit, a dullard, repeateth his folly.

12 Seest thou a man wise in his owne conceite? more hope is of a foole then of him.

Thou hast seen a man wise in his own eye, —more hope of a dullard, than of him!

13 The slouthfull man sayth, A lyon is in the way: a lyon is in the streetes.

Saith the sluggard, A roaring lion in the road! A tearing lion in the midst of the broadways.

14 As the doore turneth vpon his hinges, so doeth the slouthfull man vpon his bed.

The door, turneth on its hinges, and, the sluggard, upon his bed.

15 The slouthfull hideth his hand in his bosome, and it grieueth him to put it againe to his mouth.

The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish, he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.

16 The sluggard is wiser in his owne conceite, then seuen men that can render a reason.

Wiser is the sluggard in his own eyes, than, seven persons, who can answer with judgment.

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.

As he who layeth hold of the ears of a dog, is a passer-by, who giveth vent to his wrath over a quarrel, not his!

18 As he that faineth himselfe mad, casteth fire brands, arrowes, and mortall things,

As a madman throwing firebrands, arrows and death,

19 So dealeth the deceitfull man with his friend and sayth, Am not I in sport?

So, is a man who deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Was not, I, in sport?

20 Without wood the fire is quenched, and without a talebearer strife ceaseth.

Without wood a fire is quenched, and, where there is no tattler, strife is hushed.

21 As ye cole maketh burning coles, and wood a fire, so the contentious man is apt to kindle strife.

Black coal to burning blocks, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man, for kindling 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 tattler, are dainties, they, therefore go down into the chambers of the inner man.

23 As siluer drosse ouerlayde vpon a potsheard, so are burning lips, and an euill heart.

Dross silver overlaid upon earthenware, so are burning lips, with a mischievous heart:

24 He that hateth, will counterfaite with his lips, but in his heart he layeth vp deceite.

With his lips, the hater dissembleth, but, within himself, he layeth up deceit:

25 Though he speake fauourably, beleeue him not: for there are seuen abominations in his heart.

Though he make gracious his voice, do not trust him, for, seven abominations, are in his heart:

26 Hatred may be couered by deceite: but the malice thereof shall be discouered in the congregation.

Hatred may clothe itself with guile, his wickedness shall be disclosed in the convocation.

27 He that diggeth a pit shall fall therein, and he that rolleth a stone, it shall returne vnto him.

He that diggeth a pit, thereinto, shall fall, and, he that rolleth a stone, upon himself, shall it return.

28 A false tongue hateth the afflicted, and a flattering mouth causeth ruine.

A false tongue, hateth them who are crushed by it, and, a flattering mouth, worketh occasion of stumbling.