Proverbs 26
1Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, 1 so a fool does not deserve honor. 1
2As the sparrow flitters and the swallow darts when they fly, 1 so an undeserved curse does not alight. 1
3A whip is for the horse, a bridle is for the donkey 1 and a rod is for the back of fools. 1
4Do not answer a fool according to his folly, 1 or you will become like him. 1
5Answer a fool and join in on his folly, 1 so he will not become wise in his own eyes. 1
6Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool 1 cuts off his own feet and drinks violence. 1
7Like the legs of a paralytic which hang down 1 is a proverb in the mouth of fools. 1
8Like tying a stone in a sling 1 is giving honor to a fool. 1
9Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard 1 is a proverb in the mouth of fools. 1
10Like an archer who wounds all those around him 1 is one who hires a fool or hires anyone who passes by. 1
11As a dog returns to his own vomit, 1 so is a fool who repeats his folly. 1
12Do you see someone who is wise in his own eyes? 1 There is more hope for a fool than for him. 1
13The lazy person says, “There is a lion on the road! 1 There is a lion between the open places!” 1
14As the door turns on its hinges, 1 so is the lazy person upon his bed. 1
15The lazy person puts his hand into the dish 1 and yet he has no strength to lift it up to his mouth. 1
16The lazy person is wiser in his own eyes 1 than seven men who respond with good judgment. 1
17Like one who takes hold of the ears of a dog, 1 is a passerby who becomes angry at a dispute that is not his own. 1
18Like a madman who shoots burning arrows, 1
19is the one who deceives his neighbor 1 and says, “Was I not telling a joke?” 1
20For lack of wood, the fire goes out; 1 and where there is no gossiper quarreling ceases. 1
21As charcoal is to burning coals and wood is to fire, 1 so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife. 1
22The words of a gossip are like delicious morsels; 1 they go down into the inner parts of the body. 1
23Like the glaze overlaying an earthen vessel 1 so are burning lips and an evil heart. 1
24One who hates others disguises his feelings with his lips 1 and he lays up deceit within himself. 1
25He will speak graciously, but do not believe him, 1 for there are seven abominations in his heart. 1
26Though his hatred is covered with deception, 1 his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly. 1
27Whoever digs a pit will fall into it 1 and the stone will roll back on the one who pushed it. 1
28A lying tongue hates the people it crushes 1 and a flattering mouth brings about ruin.