Proverbs 26

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

As dew in harvest, and as rain in summer, so honour is not [seemly] for a fool.

2 As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.

As birds and sparrows fly, so a curse shall not come upon any one without a cause.

3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the fool’s back.

As a whip for a horse, and a goad for an ass, so [is] a rod for a simple nation.

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

Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you become like him.

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

Yet answer a fool according to his folly, lest he seem wise in his own conceit.

6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh violence.

He that sends a message by a foolish messenger procures for himself a reproach from his own ways.

7 The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

[As well] take away the motion of the legs, as transgression from the mouth of fools.

8 As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.

He that binds up a stone in a sling, is like one that gives glory to a fool.

9 As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

Thorns grow in the hand of a drunkard, and servitude in the hand of fools.

10 The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.

All the flesh of fools endures much hardship; for their fury is brought to nothing.

11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.

As when a dog goes to his own vomit, and becomes abominable, so is fool who returns in his wickedness to his own sin. [There is a shame that brings sin: and there is a shame [that is] glory and grace.]

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

I have seen a man who seemed to himself to be wise; but a fool had more hope than he.

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

A sluggard when sent on a journey says, [There is] a lion in the ways, and [there are] murderers in the streets.

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

As a door turns on the hinge, so does a sluggard on his bed.

15 The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.

A sluggard having hid his hand in his bosom, will not be able to bring it up to his mouth.

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

A sluggard seems to himself wiser than one who most satisfactorily brings back a message.

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

As he that lays hold of a dog's tail, so is he that makes himself the champion of another's cause.

18 As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,

As those who need correction put forth [fair] words to men, and he that first falls in with the proposal will be overthrown;

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

so are all that lay wait for their own friends, and when they are discovered, say, I did it in jest.

20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.

With much wood fire increases; but where there is not a double-minded man, strife ceases.

21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.

A hearth for coals, and wood for fire; and railing man for the tumult of strife.

22 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

The words of cunning knaves are soft; but they strike [even] to the inmost parts of the bowels.

23 Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.

Silver dishonestly given is to be considered as a potsherd: smooth lips cover a grievous heart.

24 He that hateth disguiseth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;

A weeping enemy promises all things with his lips, but in his heart he contrives deceit.

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

Though [your] enemy entreat you with a loud voice, consent not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.

26 Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be revealed before the whole congregation.

He that hides enmity frames deceit: but being easily discerned, exposes his own sins in the public assemblies.

27 Whoever diggeth a pit shall fall into it: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.

He that digs a pit for his neighbour shall fall into it: and he that rolls a stone, rolls it upon himself.

28 A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.

A lying tongue hates the truth; and an unguarded mouth causes tumults.