Proverbs 26

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

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

1Like snow in summer and rain when the grain is being cut, so honour is not natural for the foolish.

2As the sparrow in her wandering, as the swallow in her flying, So the curse that is causeless alighteth not.

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

2As the sparrow in her wandering and the swallow in her flight, so the curse does not come without a cause.

3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, And a rod for the back of fools.

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

3A whip for the horse, a mouth-bit for the ass, and a rod for the back of the foolish.

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

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

4Do not give to the foolish man a foolish answer, or you will be like him.

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

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

5Give a foolish man a foolish answer, or he will seem wise to himself.

6He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool Cutteth off his own feet, and drinketh in damage.

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

6He who sends news by the hand of a foolish man is cutting off his feet and drinking in damage.

7The legs of the lame hang loose; So is a parable in the mouth of fools.

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

7The legs of one who has no power of walking are hanging loose; so is a wise saying in the mouth of the foolish.

8As one that bindeth a stone in a sling, So is he that giveth honor to a fool.

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

8Giving honour to a foolish man is like attempting to keep a stone fixed in a cord.

9Asa thorn that goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, So is a parable in the mouth of fools.

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

9Like a thorn which goes up into the hand of a man overcome by drink, so is a wise saying in the mouth of a foolish man.

10As an archer that woundeth all, So is he that hireth a fool and he that hireth them that pass by.

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

10Like an archer wounding all who go by, is a foolish man overcome by drink.

11As a dog that returneth to his vomit, So isa fool that repeateth his folly.

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

11Like a dog going back to the food which he has not been able to keep down, is the foolish man doing his foolish acts over again.

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

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

12Have you seen a man who seems to himself to be wise? There is more hope for the foolish than for him.

13The sluggard saith, There is a lion in the way; A lion is in the streets.

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

13The hater of work says, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.

14Asthe door turneth upon its hinges, So doth the sluggard upon his bed.

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

14A door is turned on its pillar, and the hater of work on his bed.

15The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish; It wearieth him to bring it again to his mouth.

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

15The hater of work puts his hand deep into the basin: lifting it again to his mouth is a weariness to him.

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

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

16The hater of work seems to himself wiser than seven men who are able to give an answer with good sense.

17He that passeth by, and vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him, Islikeone that taketh a dog by the ears.

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

17He who gets mixed up in a fight which is not his business, is like one who takes a dog by the ears while it is going by.

18As a madman who casteth firebrands, Arrows, and death,

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

18As one who is off his head sends about flaming sticks and arrows of death,

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

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

19So is the man who gets the better of his neighbour by deceit, and says, Am I not doing so in sport?

20For lack of wood the fire goeth out; And where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth.

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

20Without wood, the fire goes out; and where there is no secret talk, argument is ended.

21Ascoals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to inflame strife.

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

21Like breath on coals and wood on fire, so a man given to argument gets a fight started.

22The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts.

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

22The words of one who says evil of his neighbour secretly are like sweet food, they go down into the inner parts of the stomach.

23 Fervent lips and a wicked heart Arelikean earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.

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

23Smooth lips and an evil heart are like a vessel of earth plated with silver waste.

24He that hateth dissembleth with his lips; But he layeth up deceit within him:

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

24With his lips the hater makes things seem what they are not, but deceit is stored up inside him;

25When he speaketh fair, believe him not; For there are seven abominations in his heart:

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

25When he says fair words, have no belief in him; for in his heart are seven evils:

26Though hishatred cover itself with guile, His wickedness shall be openly showed before the assembly.

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

26Though his hate is covered with deceit, his sin will be seen openly before the meeting of the people.

27Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein; And he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.

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

27He who makes a hole in the earth will himself go falling into it: and on him by whom a stone is rolled the stone will come back again.

28A lying tongue hateth those whom it hath wounded; And a flattering mouth worketh ruin.

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

28A false tongue has hate for those who have clean hearts, and a smooth mouth is a cause of falling.