Proverbs 26

1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, So honor is not seemly for a fool.

2 As the sparrow in her wandering, as the swallow in her flying, So the curse that is causeless alighteth not.

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

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 his own feet, and drinketh in damage.

7 The legs of the lame hang loose: So is a parable in the mouth of fools.

8 As one that bindeth a stone in a sling, So is he that giveth honor to a fool.

9  As a thorn that goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, So is a parable in the mouth of fools.

10  As an archer that woundeth all, So is he that hireth a fool and he that hireth them that pass by.

11 As a dog that returneth to his vomit, So is a fool that repeateth his folly.

12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him.

13 The sluggard saith, There is a lion in the way; A lion is in the streets.

14  As the door turneth upon its hinges, So doth the sluggard upon his bed.

15 The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish; It wearieth 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 vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him, Is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.

18 As a madman who casteth firebrands, Arrows, and death,

19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbor, And saith, Am not I in sport?

20 For lack of wood the fire goeth out; And where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth.

21  As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to inflame strife.

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

23 Fervent lips and a wicked heart Are like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.

24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips; But he layeth up deceit within him:

25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not; For there are seven abominations in his heart:

26 Though his hatred cover itself with guile, His wickedness shall be openly showed before the assembly.

27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein; And he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.

28 A lying tongue hateth those whom it hath wounded; And a flattering mouth worketh ruin.

Proverbs 26

Don't be a fool

1 Expecting snow in summer
and rain in the dry season
makes more sense
than honouring 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 clever.

6 Sending a message by a fool
is like chopping off your foot
and drinking poison.

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

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

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

10 It's no cleverer to shoot arrows
at every passer-by
than it is to hire a bunch
of worthless nobodies.t

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

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

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 cleverer
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 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.