Proverbs 26
1Like snow in summer and rain at harvest,
honor is inappropriate for a fool.2
3Like a flitting sparrow or a fluttering swallow, an undeserved curse goes nowhere.4
5A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools.6
7Don’t answer a fool according to his foolishness or you’ll be like him yourself.8
9Answer a fool according to his foolishness or he’ll become wise in his own eyes.10
11The one who sends a message by a fool’s hand cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.12
13A proverb in the mouth of a fool is like lame legs that hang limp.14
15Giving honor to a fool is like binding a stone in a sling.16
17A proverb in the mouth of a fool is like a stick with thorns, brandished by the hand of a drunkard.18
19The one who hires a fool or who hires those passing by is like an archer who wounds everyone indiscriminately.20
21As a dog returns to its vomit, so also a fool repeats his foolishness.22
23Do you see a person who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.24
25The slacker says, “There’s a lion in the road — a lion in the public square!”26
27A door turns on its hinges, and a slacker, on his bed.28
29The slacker buries his hand in the bowl; he is too weary to bring it to his mouth!30
31In his own eyes, a slacker is wiser than seven who can answer sensibly.32
33A person who is passing by and meddles in a quarrel that’s not his is like one who grabs a dog by the ears.34
35Like a madman who throws flaming darts and deadly arrows,36
37so is the person who deceives his neighbor and says, “I was only joking!”38
39Without wood, fire goes out; without a gossip, conflict dies down.40
41As charcoal for embers and wood for fire, so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.42
43A gossip’s words are like choice food that goes down to one’s innermost being.44
45Smooth lips with an evil heart are like glaze on an earthen vessel.46
47A hateful person disguises himself with his speech and harbors deceit within.48
49When he speaks graciously, don’t believe him, for there are seven detestable things in his heart.50
51Though his hatred is concealed by deception, his evil will be revealed in the assembly.52
53The one who digs a pit will fall into it, and whoever rolls a stone — it will come back on him.54
55A lying tongue hates those it crushes, and a flattering mouth causes ruin.56
3Like a flitting sparrow or a fluttering swallow, an undeserved curse goes nowhere.4
5A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools.6
7Don’t answer a fool according to his foolishness or you’ll be like him yourself.8
9Answer a fool according to his foolishness or he’ll become wise in his own eyes.10
11The one who sends a message by a fool’s hand cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.12
13A proverb in the mouth of a fool is like lame legs that hang limp.14
15Giving honor to a fool is like binding a stone in a sling.16
17A proverb in the mouth of a fool is like a stick with thorns, brandished by the hand of a drunkard.18
19The one who hires a fool or who hires those passing by is like an archer who wounds everyone indiscriminately.20
21As a dog returns to its vomit, so also a fool repeats his foolishness.22
23Do you see a person who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.24
25The slacker says, “There’s a lion in the road — a lion in the public square!”26
27A door turns on its hinges, and a slacker, on his bed.28
29The slacker buries his hand in the bowl; he is too weary to bring it to his mouth!30
31In his own eyes, a slacker is wiser than seven who can answer sensibly.32
33A person who is passing by and meddles in a quarrel that’s not his is like one who grabs a dog by the ears.34
35Like a madman who throws flaming darts and deadly arrows,36
37so is the person who deceives his neighbor and says, “I was only joking!”38
39Without wood, fire goes out; without a gossip, conflict dies down.40
41As charcoal for embers and wood for fire, so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.42
43A gossip’s words are like choice food that goes down to one’s innermost being.44
45Smooth lips with an evil heart are like glaze on an earthen vessel.46
47A hateful person disguises himself with his speech and harbors deceit within.48
49When he speaks graciously, don’t believe him, for there are seven detestable things in his heart.50
51Though his hatred is concealed by deception, his evil will be revealed in the assembly.52
53The one who digs a pit will fall into it, and whoever rolls a stone — it will come back on him.54
55A lying tongue hates those it crushes, and a flattering mouth causes ruin.56