Proverbs26

¹ Like snow in summer and like rain in harvest, So honor is not fitting for a fool.

² Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, So a curse without cause does not come to rest.

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

⁴ Do not answer a fool according to his foolishness, Or you will also be like him.

⁵ Answer a fool as his foolishness deserves, So that he will not be wise in his own eyes.

⁶ One who sends a message by the hand of a fool Chops off his own feet and drinks violence.

⁷ Like useless legs to one who cannot walk, So is a proverb in the mouths of fools.

⁸ Like one who binds a stone in a sling, So is one who gives honor to a fool.

⁹ Like a thorn that sticks in the hand of a heavy drinker, So is a proverb in the mouths of fools.

¹⁰ Like an archer who wounds everyone, So is one who hires a fool or hires those who pass by.

¹¹ Like a dog that returns to its vomit, So is a fool who repeats his foolishness.

¹² Do you see a person wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

¹³ A lazy one says, “There is a lion on the road! A lion is in the public square!”

¹⁴ As the door turns on its hinges, So does a lazy one on his bed.

¹⁵ A lazy one buries his hand in the dish; He is weary of bringing it to his mouth again.

¹⁶ A lazy one is wiser in his own eyes Than seven people who can give a discreet answer.

¹⁷ Like one who takes a dog by the ears, So is one who passes by and meddles with strife not belonging to him.

¹⁸ Like a maniac who shoots Flaming arrows, arrows, and death,

¹⁹ So is a person who deceives his neighbor, And says, “Was I not joking?”

²⁰ For lack of wood the fire goes out, And where there is no gossiper, quarreling quiets down.

²¹ Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, So is a contentious person to kindle strife.

²² The words of a gossiper are like dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts of the body.

²³ Like an earthenware vessel overlaid with silver impurities Are burning lips and a wicked heart.

²⁴ One who hates disguises it with his lips, But he harbors deceit in his heart.

²⁵ When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, Because there are seven abominations in his heart.

²⁶ Though his hatred covers itself with deception, His wickedness will be revealed in the assembly.

²⁷ One who digs a pit will fall into it, And one who rolls a stone, it will come back on him.

²⁸ A lying tongue hates those it crushes, And a flattering mouth works ruin.