Proverbs Chapter 26
1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honor is not becoming for a fool.
2 As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse without cause shall not come.
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 foolishness, lest you also be like him.
5 Answer a fool according to his foolishness, so that he may not be wise in his own eyes.
6 Those who send a message by the hand of a fool cut off the feet and drink down damage.
7 The legs of the lame are not equal. Ao is a parable in the mouth of fools.
8 As one who binds a stone in a sling, so is one who gives honor to a fool.
9 As a thorn goes up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
10 Great is the former of all, but one who hires a fool is like one who hires one passing by.
11 As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool returns to 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 one says, There is a lion in the way, a lion is in the streets.
14 As the door turns upon its hinges, so does the lazy man turn upon his bed.
15 The lazy man hides his hand in his bosom. It grieves him to bring it again to his mouth.
16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can give a reason.
17 Those who pass by enraging themselves over strife not their own are like one who picks⁺ up a dog by the ears.
18 Or like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death.
19 So is one who deceives his neighbor and says, I am only jesting⁺.
20 Where there is no wood, the fire goes out. And where there is no talebearer, the fighting ceases.
21 As coals to burning coals, and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man to kindle fighting.
22 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
23 Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a broken piece of pottery with silver waste.
24 Those who hate pretend with their lips and store up deceit within themselves.
25 When one makes his voice gracious, do not believe him. For seven hateful things are in his heart.
26 Those whose hatred is covered by deceit, their wickedness will be shown before the congregation.
27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it. One who rolls a stone, it will turn back on him.
28 A lying tongue hates those afflicted by it. And a flattering mouth works ruin.