Proverbs 26

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

2 As the sparrow for flitting about, as the swallow for flying, so a curse undeserved shall not come.

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

4 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 eyes.

6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off his own feet, and drinketh damage. 7 The legs of the lame hang loose; so is a proverb in the mouth of fools. 8 As a bag of gems in a stoneheap, so is he that giveth honour to a fool. 9 As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

10 A master roughly worketh every one: he both hireth the fool and hireth passers-by.

11 As a dog turneth back to its vomit, so a fool repeateth his folly.

12 Hast thou seen a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope of a fool than of him.

13 The sluggard saith, There is a fierce lion in the way; a lion is in the midst of the streets!

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

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

16 A sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men that answer discreetly.

17 He that passing by vexeth himself 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, 19 so is a man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am I not in sport?

20 Where no wood is, the fire goeth out; and where there is no talebearer, the contention ceaseth. 21 As coals for hot coals, and wood for fire, so is a contentious man to inflame strife. 22 The words of a talebearer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

23 Ardent lips, and a wicked heart, are as an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.

24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, but he layeth up deceit within him: 25 when his voice is gracious, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart. 26 Though his hatred is covered by dissimulation, his wickedness shall be made manifest in the congregation.

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

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

1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest,

So honor 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 alighteth not.

3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass,

And a rod for the back of fools.

4 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.

6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool

Cutteth off his own feet, and drinketh in damage.

7 The legs of the lame hang loose;

So is a parable in the mouth of fools.

8 As one that bindeth a stone 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 mouth of fools.

10 As an archer that woundeth all,

So is he that hireth a fool and he that hireth them that pass by.

11 As a dog that returneth to his vomit,

So is a fool that repeateth his folly.

12 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.

14 As the door turneth upon its hinges,

So doth the sluggard upon his bed.

15 The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish;

It wearieth 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.

17 He that passeth by, and vexeth himself 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,

19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbor,

And saith, Am not I in sport?

20 For lack of wood the fire goeth out;

And where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth.

21 As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire,

So is a contentious man to inflame strife.

22 The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels,

And they go down into the innermost parts.

23 Fervent lips and a wicked heart

Are like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.

24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips;

But he layeth up deceit within him:

25 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 showed before the assembly.

27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein;

And he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.

28 A lying tongue hateth those whom it hath wounded;

And a flattering mouth worketh ruin.