Proverbs

The Proverbs, chapter 26, New English Translation and King James Version

Chapter 26 New English Translation

   1 Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.
   2 Like a fluttering bird or like a flying swallow, so a curse without cause does not come to rest.
   3 A whip for the horse and a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools!
   4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you yourself also be like him.
   5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own estimation.
   6 Like cutting off the feet or drinking violence, so is sending a message by the hand of a fool.
   7 Like legs that hang limp from the lame, so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
   8 Like tying a stone in a sling, so is giving honor to a fool.
   9 Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard, so is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
   10 Like an archer who wounds at random, so is the one who hires a fool or hires any passer-by.
   11 Like a dog that returns to its 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 sluggard says, "There is a lion in the road! A lion in the streets!"
   14 Like a door that turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed.
   15 The sluggard plunges his hand in the dish; he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.
   16 The sluggard is wiser in his own estimation than seven people who respond with good sense.
   17 Like one who grabs a wild dog by the ears, so is the person passing by who becomes furious over a quarrel not his own.
   18 Like a madman who shoots firebrands and deadly arrows,
   19 so is a person who deceives his neighbor, and says, "Was I not only joking?"
   20 Where there is no wood, a fire goes out, and where there is no gossip, contention ceases.
   21 Like charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, so is a contentious person to kindle strife.
   22 The words of a gossip are like delicious morsels; they go down into a person's innermost being.
   23 Like a coating of glaze over earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart.
   24 The one who hates others disguises it with his lips, but he stores up deceit within him.
   25 When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, for there are seven abominations within him.
   26 Though his hatred may be concealed by deceit, his evil will be uncovered in the assembly.
   27 The one who digs a pit will fall into it; the one who rolls a stone - it will come back on him.
   28 A lying tongue hates those crushed by it, and a flattering mouth works ruin.

King James Version

   1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.
   2 As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.
   3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.
   4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
   5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
   6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.
   7 The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
   8 As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
   9 As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
   10 The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.
   11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.
   12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
   13 The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
   14 As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
   15 The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.
   16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
   17 He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
   18 As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
   19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
   20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
   21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
   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 potsherd covered with silver dross.
   24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
   25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
   26 Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.
   27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
   28 A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.