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.

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

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

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

3 Vnto the horse belongeth a whip, to the asse a bridle, and a rod to the fooles backe.

A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools!

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

Don’t answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like 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 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 sends a message by the hand of a fool is cutting off feet and drinking violence.

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

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

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

Like a thorn bush that goes into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

15 The slouthfull hideth his hand in his bosome, and it grieueth him to put it againe 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 owne conceite, then seuen men that can render a reason.

The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer with discretion.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

When his speech is charming, don’t believe him, 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.

His malice may be concealed by deception, but his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.

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 into it. Whoever rolls a stone, it will come back on him.

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

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