Proverbs 26

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

24He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;footnote n

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

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

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

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

Similitudes and Instructions

1Like snow in summer and rain at harvest,honor does not befit a fool. 2Like a fluttering sparrow or darting swallow,an undeserved curse does not come to rest. 3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,and a rod for the backs of fools! 4Do not answer a fool according to his folly,or you yourself will be like him. 5Answer a fool according to his folly,lest he become wise in his own eyes. 6Like cutting off one’s own feet or drinking violenceis the sending of a message by the hand of a fool. 7Like lame legs hanging limpis a proverb in the mouth of a fool. 8Like binding a stone into a slingis the giving of honor to a fool. 9Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkardis a proverb in the mouth of a fool. 10Like an archer who wounds at randomis he who hires a fool or passerby. 11As a dog returns to its vomit,footnote aso a fool repeats his folly. 12Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes?There is more hope for a fool than for him.

13The slacker says, “A lion is in the road!A fierce lion roams the public square!” 14As a door turns on its hinges,so the slacker turns on his bed. 15The slacker buries his hand in the dish;it wearies him to bring it back to his mouth. 16The slacker is wiser in his own eyesthan seven men who answer discreetly.

17Like one who grabs a dog by the earsis a passerby who meddles in a quarrel not his own. 18Like a madman shooting firebrandsand deadly arrows, 19so is the man who deceives his neighborand says, “I was only joking!”

20Without wood, a fire goes out;without gossip, a conflict ceases. 21Like charcoal for embers and wood for fire,so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife. 22The words of a gossip are like choice morselsthat go down into the inmost being.

23Like glaze covering an earthen vesselare burningfootnote blips and a wicked heart. 24A hateful man disguises himself with his speech,but he lays up deceit in his heart. 25When he speaks graciously, do not believe him,for seven abominations fill his heart. 26Though his hatred is concealed by deception,his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly. 27He who digs a pit will fall into it,and he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him. 28A lying tongue hates those it crushes,and a flattering mouth causes ruin.