Proverbs 26
1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not proper for a fool.
Honoring someone stupid is as inappropriate as snow in the summer or rain during harvest.
2 As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.
A curse that isn't deserved won't land on the person, like a fluttering sparrow or a flitting swallow.
3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the fool’s back.
Horses need a whip, donkeys need a bridle, and stupid people need a rod on their backs!
4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like him.
Don't answer stupid people following their stupidity, or you'll become as bad as them.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
Answer stupid people following their stupidity, otherwise they'll think they're wise.
6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh violence.
Trusting someone stupid to deliver a message is like cutting of your feet or drinking poison.
7 The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
A proverb spoken by someone stupid is as useless as a lame person's legs.
8 As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
Honoring someone stupid is as pointless as tying a stone into a sling.
9 As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
A proverb spoken by someone stupid is as ridiculous as a thorn bush waved around by a drunk.
10 The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.
Anyone who hires someone stupid or just a passer-by is like an archer wounding people by shooting arrows at random.
11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.
Stupid people repeat their stupidity like a dog returning to its vomit.
12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
Have you seen a man who is wise in his own eyes? There's more hope for stupid people than for him!
13 The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
Lazy people are the ones who say, “There's a lion on the road—a lion running around the streets!”
14 As the door turneth upon its hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
A lazy person turns in bed like a door turns on its hinge.
15 The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.
Lazy people put their hands in a dish, but are too tired to lift the food to their mouths.
16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
In their own eyes lazy people are wiser than many sensible advisors.
17 He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
Interfering in someone else's quarrel is like grabbing a stray dog by the ears.
18 As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
You're like a crazy person firing off blazing arrows and killing people
19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
if you lie to your friend and then say, “I was only joking!”
20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
Without wood, the fire goes out; and without gossips, arguments stop.
21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
An argumentative person fires up quarrels like putting charcoal on hot embers or wood on a fire.
22 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
Listening to gossip is like gulping down bites of your favorite food—they go deep down inside you.
23 Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
Smooth talking with evil intent is like a shiny lead glaze on an earthenware pot.
24 He that hateth disguiseth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
People say nice things to you even though they hate you; deep down they're just lying to you.
25 When he speaketh kindly, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
When people talk nicely to you, don't believe them—their minds are full of hate for you.
26 Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be revealed before the whole congregation.
Even though their hatred may be hidden by cunning tricks, their evil will be revealed to everyone.
27 Whoever diggeth a pit shall fall into it: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
Those who dig pits to trap others will fall in themselves, and those who start boulders rolling will be crushed themselves.
28 A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
If you tell lies, you show you hate your victims; if you flatter people, you cause disaster.
