Proverbs 26

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

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

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

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

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

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

4 Don’t answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him.

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

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

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

6 One who sends a message by the hand of a fool is cutting off feet and drinking violence.

He that sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off the feet, and drinks damage.

7 Like the legs of the lame that hang loose, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

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

8 As one who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honor to a fool.

As he that binds a stone in a sling, so is he that gives honour to a fool.

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

As a thorn goes up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouths of fools.

10 As an archer who wounds all, so is he who hires a fool or he who hires those who pass by.

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

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

As a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool returns to his folly.

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

See you a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

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

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

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

As the door turns upon his hinges, so does the slothful upon his bed.

15 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish. He is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.

The slothful hides his hand in his bosom; it grieves him to bring it again to his mouth.

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

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

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

He that passes by, and meddles with strife belonging not to him, is like one that takes a dog by the ears.

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

As a mad man who casts firebrands, arrows, and death,

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

So is the man that deceives his neighbour, and says, Am not I in sport?

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

Where no wood is, there the fire goes out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceases.

21 As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindling strife.

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

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

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

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

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

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

He that hates dissembles with his lips, and lays up deceit within him;

25 When his speech is charming, don’t believe him, for there are seven abominations in his heart.

When he speaks fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.

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

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

27 Whoever digs a pit shall fall into it. Whoever rolls a stone, it will come back on him.

Whoso digs a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolls a stone, it will return upon him.

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

A lying tongue hates those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth works ruin.