Proverbs 26

1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.

As snow is in summer, and as rain in harvest: so is honor not seemly to a fool.

2 As the sparrow in her wandering, as the swallow in her flying, so the curse that is causeless lighteth not.

As the bird [cometh] to flit away, as the swallow, to fly off: so will an undeserved curse not come [to fulfillment].

3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the back of fools.

A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.

4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.

Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest thou also become equal unto him.

5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.

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 fool cutteth off [his own] feet, [and] drinketh in damage.

He choppeth off the feet, and drinketh vexation, that sendeth important messages by the hand of a fool.

7 The legs of the lame hang loose: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

Too feebly hang down the thighs on a lame man: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

8 As a bag of gems in a heap of stones, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.

As is the one that bindeth a stone fast in a sling, so is he that giveth honor to a fool.

9 [As] a thorn that goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the month of fools.

[As] a thorn that is come into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

10 [As] an archer that woundeth all, so is he that hireth the fool and he that hireth them that pass by.

A master injureth all things when he hireth a fool or hireth mere rovers.

11 As a dog that returneth to his vomit, [so is] a fool that repeateth his folly.

As a dog returneth to his vomit, so doth a fool repeat to act in his folly.

12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

When thou seest a man wise in his own eyes, then is there more hope for a fool than for him.

13 The sluggard saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.

The slothful saith, There is a leopard in the way: a lion is between the streets.

14 [As] the door turneth upon its hinges, so doth the sluggard upon his bed.

As a door turneth upon its hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.

15 The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish; it wearieth him to bring it again to his mouth.

Hath the slothful hidden his hand in the dish, it wearieth him to bring it back again to his mouth.

16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.

The slothful is wiser in his own eyes, than seven men that can give wise answers.

17 He that passeth by, [and] vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him, is [like] one that taketh a dog by the ears.

As is one that taketh hold of a dog by the ears, so is he that passing by becometh excited about a dispute which concerneth him not.

18 As a madman who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death;

As one fatigueth himself shooting off firebrands, arrows, and death:

19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?

So is the man that hath cheated his neighbor, and saith, Behold, I am only jesting.

20 For lack of wood the fire goeth out: and where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth.

Where there is no wood, the fire goeth out: so where there is no whisperer, strife is silenced.

21 [As] coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to inflame strife.

As charcoals are added to burning coals, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man fitted to enkindle a dispute.

22 The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

The words of a whisperer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost chambers of the body.

23 Fervent lips and a wicked heart are [like] an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.

Like silver dross laid over an earthen vessel, so are burning lips with a bad heart.

24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, but he layeth up deceit within him:

With his lips dissembleth he that hateth, and within himself layeth he up deceit:

25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not; for there are seven abominations in his heart:

Though he make his voice sound ever so graciously, believe him not; for there are seven abominations in his heart.

26 Though [his] hatred cover itself with guile, his wickedness shall be openly shewed before the congregation.

If one's hatred be covered by deception, then shall be laid bare his wickedness before a [whole] assembly.

27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.

Whoso diggeth a pit will fall therein; and upon him that rolleth a stone, will it return.

28 A lying tongue hateth those whom it hath wounded; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.

A lying tongue hateth those that are crushed by it; and a flattering mouth prepareth [others'] downfall.