Proverbs 26

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 fools 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.

PROVERBS 26

Don't Be a Fool

1 Expecting snow in summer
and rain in the dry season
makes more sense
than honoring a fool.

2 A curse you don't deserve
will take wings and fly away
like a sparrow or a swallow.

3 Horses and donkeys
must be beaten and bridled—
and so must fools.

4 Don't make a fool of yourself
by answering a fool.

5 But if you answer any fools,
show how foolish they are,
so they won't feel smart.

6 Sending a message by a fool
is like chopping off your foot
just to spite yourself.

7 A fool with words of wisdom
is like an athlete
with legs that can't move.t

8 Are you going to honor a fool?
Why not shoot a slingshot
with the rock tied tight?

9 A thornbush waved around
in the hand of a drunkard
is no worse than a proverb
in the mouth of a fool.

10 It's no smarter to shoot arrows
at every passerby
than it is to hire a bunch
of worthless nobodies.t

11  t Dogs return to eat their vomit,
just as fools repeat
their foolishness.

12 There is more hope for a fool
than for someone who says,
“I'm really smart!”

13 Don't be lazy and keep saying,
“There's a lion outside!”

14 A door turns on its hinges,
but a lazy person
just turns over in bed.

15 Some of us are so lazy
that we won't lift a hand
to feed ourselves.

16 A lazy person says,
“I am smarter
than everyone else.”

17 It's better to take hold
of a mad dog by the ears
than to take part
in someone else's argument.

18 It's no crazier to shoot
sharp and flaming arrows

19 than to cheat someone and say,
“I was only fooling!”

20 Where there is no fuel
a fire goes out;
where there is no gossip
arguments come to an end.

21 Troublemakers start trouble,
just as sparks and fuel
start a fire.

22 There is nothing so delicious
as the taste of gossip!
It melts in your mouth.

23 Hiding hateful thoughts
behind smootht talk
is like coating a clay pot
with a cheap glaze.

24 The pleasant talk
of an enemy
hides more evil plans

25 than can be counted—
so don't believe a word!

26 Everyone will see through
those evil plans.

27  t If you dig a pit,
you will fall in;
if you start a stone rolling,
it will roll back on you.

28 Watch out for anyone
who tells lies and flatters—
they are out to get you.