Proverbs 26

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

AS snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for 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 by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.

3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, 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 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.

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

6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off [his own] feet, [and] drinketh in damage.

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

7 The legs of the lame 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 a bag of gems in a heap of stones, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.

As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour 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 goeth up 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.

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

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 a fool returneth to his folly.

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

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

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

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

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

As the door turneth upon his 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

As a mad man who casteth 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 deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?

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

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

21 [As] coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to inflame 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, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

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

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

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

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

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

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

When he speaketh fair, 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.

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

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

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

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

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