Proverbs 26

1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, So honour is not comely for a fool.⋮

2 As a bird by wandering, as a swallow by flying, So reviling without cause doth not come.⋮

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

4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, Lest thou be like to him — even thou.⋮

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

6 He is cutting off feet, he is drinking injury, Who is sending things by the hand of a fool.⋮

7 Weak have been the two legs of the lame, And a parable in the mouth of fools.⋮

8 As one who is binding a stone in a sling, So is he who is giving honour to a fool.⋮

9 A thorn hath gone up into the hand of a drunkard, And a parable in the mouth of fools.⋮

10 Great is the Former of all, And He is rewarding a fool, And is rewarding transgressors.⋮

11 As a dog hath returned to its vomit, A fool is repeating his folly.⋮

12 Thou hast seen a man wise in his own eyes, More hope of a fool than of him!⋮

13 The slothful hath said, 'A lion is in the way, A lion is in the broad places.'⋮

14 The door turneth round on its hinge, And the slothful on his bed.⋮

15 The slothful hath hid his hand in a dish, He is weary of bringing it back to his mouth.⋮

16 Wiser is the slothful in his own eyes, Than seven men returning a reason.⋮

17 Laying hold on the ears of a dog, Is a passer-by making himself wrath for strife not his own.⋮

18 As one pretending to be feeble, Who is casting sparks, arrows, and death,⋮

19 So hath a man deceived his neighbour, And hath said, 'Am not I playing?'⋮

20 Without wood is fire going out, And without a tale-bearer, contention ceaseth,⋮

21 Coal to burning coals, and wood to fire, And a man of contentions to kindle strife.⋮

22 The words of a tale-bearer are as self-inflicted wounds, And they have gone down to the inner parts of the heart.⋮

23 Silver of dross spread over potsherd, Are burning lips and an evil heart.⋮

24 By his lips doth a hater dissemble, And in his heart he placeth deceit,⋮

25 When his voice is gracious trust not in him, For seven abominations are in his heart.⋮

26 Hatred is covered by deceit, Revealed is its wickedness in an assembly.⋮

27 Whoso is digging a pit falleth into it, And the roller of a stone, to him it turneth.⋮

28 A lying tongue hateth its bruised ones, And a flattering mouth worketh an overthrow!⋮