Proverbs26

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

² Like a flitting sparrow, like a flying swallow, So a curse without cause shall not alight.

³ A whip for the horse, A bridle for the donkey, And a rod for the fool’s back.

⁴ Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Lest you also be like him.

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

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

⁷ Like the legs of the lame that hang limp Is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

⁸ Like one who binds a stone in a sling Is he who gives honor to a fool.

⁹ Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard Is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

¹⁰ The great God who formed everything Gives the fool his hire and the transgressor his wages.

¹¹ As a dog returns to his own vomit, So a fool repeats his folly.

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

¹³ The lazy man says, “There is a lion in the road! A fierce lion is in the streets!”

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

¹⁵ The lazy man buries his hand in the bowl; It wearies him to bring it back to his mouth.

¹⁶ The lazy man is wiser in his own eyes Than seven men who can answer sensibly.

¹⁷ He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own Is like one who takes a dog by the ears.

¹⁸ Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death,

¹⁹ Is the man who deceives his neighbor, And says, “I was only joking!”

²⁰ Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.

²¹ As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle strife.

²² The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, And they go down into the inmost body.

²³ Fervent lips with a wicked heart Are like earthenware covered with silver dross.

²⁴ He who hates, disguises it with his lips, And lays up deceit within himself;

²⁵ When he speaks kindly, do not believe him, For there are seven abominations in his heart;

²⁶ Though his hatred is covered by deceit, His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly.

²⁷ Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, And he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.

²⁸ A lying tongue hates those who are crushed by it, And a flattering mouth works ruin.