Proverbs 26
1As dew in harvest, and as rain in summer, 1 So honor is not seemly for a fool. 1
2As birds and sparrows fly, 1 So a curse shall not come upon anyone without a cause. 1
3As a whip for a horse, and a goad for an ass, 1 So is a rod for a simple nation. 1
4Answer not a fool according to his folly, 1 Lest thou become like him. 1
5Yet answer a fool according to his folly, 1 Lest he seem wise in his own conceit. 1
6He that sends a message by a foolish messenger 1 Procures for himself a reproach from his own ways. 1
7As well take away the motion of the legs, 1 As transgression from the mouth of fools. 1
8He that binds up a stone in a sling, 1 Is like one that gives glory to a fool. 1
9Thorns grow in the hand of a drunkard, 1 And servitude in the hand of fools. 1
10All the flesh of fools endures much hardship; 1 For their fury is brought to nought. 1
11a There is a shame that brings sin: 1 And there is a shame that is glory and grace. 1
12I have seen a man who seemed to himself to be wise; 1 But a fool had more hope than he. 1
13A sluggard when sent on a journey says, 1 There is a lion in the ways, 1 And there are murderers in the streets. 1
14As a door turns on the hinge, 1 So does a sluggard on his bed. 1
15A sluggard having hidden his hand in his bosom, 1 Will not be able to bring it up to his mouth. 1
16A sluggard seems to himself wiser 1 Than one who most satisfactorily brings back a message. 1
17As he that lays hold of a dog’s tail, 1 So is he that makes himself the champion of another’s cause. 1
18As those who need correction put forth fair words to men, 1 And he that first falls in with the proposal will be overthrown; 1
19So are all that lay wait for their own friends, 1 And when they are discovered, say, I did it in jest. 1
20With much wood fire increases; 1 But where there is not a double-minded man, strife ceases. 1
21A hearth for coals, and wood for fire; 1 And a railing man for the tumult of strife. 1
22The words of cunning knaves are soft; 1 But they smite even to the inmost parts of the bowels. 1
23Silver dishonestly given is to be considered as a potsherd: 1 Smooth lips cover a grievous heart. 1
24A weeping enemy promises all things with his lips, 1 But in his heart he contrives deceit. 1
25Though thine enemy entreat thee with a loud voice, consent not: 1 For there are seven abominations in his heart. 1
26He that hides enmity frames deceit: but being easily discerned, 1 Exposes his own sins in the public assemblies. 1
27He that digs a pit for his neighbor shall fall into it: 1 And he that rolls a stone, rolls it upon himself. 1
28A lying tongue hates the truth; 1 And an unguarded mouth causes tumults.