Proverbs 26
1Like snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, 2 so kavod ·weighty glory· is not fitting for a fool. 1
2Like a fluttering sparrow, 2 like a darting swallow, 2 so the undeserved curse does not come to rest. 1
3A whip is for the horse, 2 a bridle for the donkey, 2 and a rod for the back of fools! 1
4Don’t answer a fool according to his folly, 2 lest you also be like him. 1
5Answer a fool according to his folly, 2 lest he be wise in his own eyes. 1
6One who sends a message by the hand of a fool 2 is cutting off feet and drinking violence. 1
7Like the legs of the lame that hang loose: 2 so is a parable in the mouth of fools. 1
8As one who binds a stone in a sling, 2 so is he who gives kavod ·weighty glory· to a fool. 1
9Like a thorn bush that goes into the hand of a drunkard, 2 so is a parable in the mouth of fools. 1
10As an archer who wounds all, 2 so is he who hires a fool 2 or he who hires those who pass by. 1
11As a dog that makes teshuvah ·completely returns· to his vomit, + 26:11. Quoted in 2 Pet 2:22 2 so is a fool who repeats his folly. 1
12Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? 2 There is more hope for a fool than for him. 1
13The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! 2 A fierce lion roams the streets!” 1
14As the door turns on its hinges, 2 so does the sluggard on his bed. 1
15The sluggard buries his hand in the dish. 2 He is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth. 1
16The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes 2 than seven men who answer with discretion. 1
17Like one who grabs a dog’s ears 2 is one who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own. 1
18Like a madman who shoots torches, arrows, and death, 2
19is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “Am I not joking?” 1
20For lack of wood a fire goes out. 2 Without gossip, a quarrel dies down. 1
21As coals are to hot embers, 2 and wood to fire, 2 so is a contentious man to kindling strife. 1
22The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, 2 they go down into the innermost parts. 1
23Like silver dross on an earthen vessel 2 are the lips of a fervent one with an evil heart. 1
24A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, 2 but he harbors evil in his heart. 1
25When his speech is pleasant, don’t trust him; 2 for there are seven abominations in his heart. 1
26His malice may be concealed by deception, 2 but his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly. 1
27Whoever digs a pit shall fall into it. 2 Whoever rolls a stone, it will come back on him. 1
28A lying tongue hates those it hurts; 2 and a flattering mouth works ruin.