Proverbs 26

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

1As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, So honour <FI>is<Fi> not comely for a fool.

2As a bird flying to other places, and a sparrow going here or there: so a curse uttered without cause shall come upon a man.

2As a bird by wandering, as a swallow by flying, So reviling without cause doth not come.

3A whip for a horse, and a snaffle for an ass, and a rod for the back of fools.

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

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

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

5Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he imagine himself to be wise.

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

6He that sendeth words by a foolish messenger, is lame of feet and drinketh iniquity.

6He is cutting off feet, he is drinking injury, Who is sending things by the hand of a fool.

7As a lame man hath fair legs in vain: so a parable is unseemly in the mouth of fools.

7Weak have been the two legs of the lame, And a parable in the mouth of fools.

8As he that casteth a stone into the heap of Mercury: so is he that giveth honour to a fool.

8As one who is binding a stone in a sling, So <FI>is<Fi> he who is giving honour to a fool.

9As if a thorn should grow in the hand of a drunkard: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

9A thorn hath gone up into the hand of a drunkard, And a parable in the mouth of fools.

10Judgment determineth causes: and he that putteth a fool to silence, appeaseth anger.

10Great <FI>is<Fi> the Former of all, And He is rewarding a fool, And is rewarding transgressors.

11As a dog that returneth to his vomit, so is the fool that repeateth his folly.

11As a dog hath returned to its vomit, A fool is repeating his folly.

12Hast thou seen a man wise in his own conceit? there shall be more hope of a fool than of him.

12Thou hast seen a man wise in his own eyes, More hope of a fool than of him!

13The slothful man saith: There is a lion in the way, and a lioness in the roads.

13The slothful hath said, `A lion <FI>is<Fi> in the way, A lion <FI>is<Fi> in the broad places.'

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

14The door turneth round on its hinge, And the slothful on his bed.

15The slothful hideth his hand under his armpit, and it grieveth him to turn it to his mouth.

15The slothful hath hid his hand in a dish, He is weary of bringing it back to his mouth.

16The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit, than seven men that speak sentences.

16Wiser <FI>is<Fi> the slothful in his own eyes, Than seven <FI>men<Fi> returning a reason.

17As he that taketh a dog by the ears, so is he that passeth by in anger, and meddleth with another man's quarrel.

17Laying hold on the ears of a dog, <FI>Is<Fi> a passer-by making himself wrath for strife not his own.

18As he is guilty that shooteth arrows, and lances unto death.

18As <FI>one<Fi> pretending to be feeble, Who is casting sparks, arrows, and death,

19So is the man that hurteth his friend deceitfully: and when he is taken, saith: I did it in jest.

19So hath a man deceived his neighbour, And hath said, `Am not I playing?'

20When the wood faileth, the fire shall go out: and when the talebearer is taken away, contentions shall cease.

20Without wood is fire going out, And without a tale-bearer, contention ceaseth,

21As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire, so an angry man stirreth up strife.

21Coal to burning coals, and wood to fire, And a man of contentions to kindle strife.

22The words of a talebearer are as it were simple, but they reach to the innermost parts of the belly.

22The words of a tale-bearer <FI>are<Fi> as self-inflicted wounds, And they have gone down <FI>to<Fi> the inner parts of the heart.

23Swelling lips joined with a corrupt heart, are like an earthern vessel adorned with silver dross.

23Silver of dross spread over potsherd, <FI>Are<Fi> burning lips and an evil heart.

24An enemy is known by his lips, when in his heart he entertaineth deceit.

24By his lips doth a hater dissemble, And in his heart he placeth deceit,

25When he shall speak low, trust him not: because there are seven mischiefs in his heart.

25When his voice is gracious trust not in him, For seven abominations <FI>are<Fi> in his heart.

26He that covereth hatred deceitfully, his malice shall be laid open in the public assembly.

26Hatred is covered by deceit, Revealed is its wickedness in an assembly.

27He that diggeth a pit, shall fall into it: and he that rolleth a stone, it shall return to him.

27Whoso is digging a pit falleth into it, And the roller of a stone, to him it turneth.

28A deceitful tongue loveth not truth: and a slippery mouth worketh ruin.

28A lying tongue hateth its bruised ones, And a flattering mouth worketh an overthrow!