Proverbs 26

1 Like snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.⋮

2 Like a fluttering sparrow, like a darting swallow, so the undeserved curse doesn’t come to rest.⋮

3 A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools!⋮

4 Don’t 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 One who sends a message by the hand of a fool is cutting off feet and drinking violence.⋮

7 Like the legs of the lame that hang loose, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.⋮

8 As one who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honor to a fool.⋮

9 Like a thorn bush that goes into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.⋮

10 As an archer who wounds all, so is he who hires a fool or he who hires those who pass by.⋮

11 As a dog that returns to his vomit, so is a fool who 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 fierce lion roams the streets!”⋮

14 As the door turns on its hinges, so does the sluggard on his bed.⋮

15 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish. He is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.⋮

16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer with discretion.⋮

17 Like one who grabs a dog’s ears is one who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own.⋮

18 Like a madman who shoots torches, arrows, and death,⋮

19 is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “Am I not joking?”⋮

20 For lack of wood a fire goes out. Without gossip, a quarrel dies down.⋮

21 As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindling strife.⋮

22 The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, they go down into the innermost parts.⋮

23 Like silver dross on an earthen vessel are the lips of a fervent one with an evil heart.⋮

24 A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, but he harbors evil in his heart.⋮

25 When his speech is charming, don’t believe him, for there are seven abominations in his heart.⋮

26 His malice may be concealed by deception, but his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.⋮

27 Whoever digs a pit shall fall into it. Whoever rolls a stone, it will come back on him.⋮

28 A lying tongue hates those it hurts; and a flattering mouth works ruin.⋮