Proverbs, 26

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

1. Honors do not suit the fool any more than snow in summer and rain at harvest.

2. As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.

2. The sparrow escapes, the swallow flies off, so the motiveless curse will have no effect.

3. A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.

3. A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, a stick for the backs of fools.

4. Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.

4. Do not answer the stupidity of fools lest you become like them.

5. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.

5. Answer the stupidity of the fool lest he consider himself intelligent.

6. He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, [and] drinketh damage.

6. He who sends messages by a fool is cutting his own feet.

7. The legs of the lame are not equal: so [is] a parable in the mouth of fools.

7. Like the unsteady legs of a lame man, such is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

8. As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so [is] he that giveth honour to a fool.

8. Honoring a fool is like tying a stone in a sling.

9. [As] a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so [is] a parable in the mouth of fools.

9. Like a thorn branch in a drunkard's hands, such is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

10. The great [God] that formed all [things] both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.

10. Like an archer wounding all passersby, so is he who employs a fool.

11. As a dog returneth to his vomit, [so] a fool returneth to his folly.

11. The fool reverts to his stupidity just as a dog returns to his vomit.

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

12. See that man who thinks himself wise? There is more hope for a fool!

13. The slothful [man] saith, [There is] a lion in the way; a lion [is] in the streets.

13. "There's a lion in the street," the lazy man says, "a lion in the square."

14. [As] the door turneth upon his hinges, so [doth] the slothful upon his bed.

14. The door turns on its hinges and the lazy man, on his bed.

15. The slothful hideth his hand in [his] bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.

15. The idler dips his hand in the dish but is too tired to lift it to his mouth.

16. The sluggard [is] wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.

16. The idler considers himself wiser than many people who answer tactfully.

17. He that passeth by, [and] meddleth with strife [belonging] not to him, [is like] one that taketh a dog by the ears.

17. Interfering in the disputes of others is like grabbing a passing dog by the tail.

18. As a mad [man] who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,

18. As a madman hurls flaming, deadly arrows,

19. So [is] the man [that] deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?

19. so does the one who lies to his friend and then says, "It was just a joke."

20. Where no wood is, [there] the fire goeth out: so where [there is] no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.

20. For lack of wood, the fire goes out; for want of a gossiper, the quarrel dies down.

21. [As] coals [are] to burning coals, and wood to fire; so [is] a contentious man to kindle strife.

21. Charcoal on hot coals, wood on a fire, and a quarrelsome man for stirring up disputes.

22. The words of a talebearer [are] as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

22. The words of the gossiper are delicious mouthfuls which go right down to the bottom of the stomach.

23. Burning lips and a wicked heart [are like] a potsherd covered with silver dross.

23. Like silver on earthenware, so are smooth lips with a corrupt heart.

24. He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;

24. The one who hates, disguises his words and keeps his treachery inside;

25. When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for [there are] seven abominations in his heart.

25. do not trust his sweet language for seven evils fill his heart.

26. [Whose] hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the [whole] congregation.

26. But although he conceals his hatred like a hypocrite, his evil will be revealed in the assembly.

27. Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.

27. He who digs a pit falls in it and the rock he rolls away falls back on him.

28. A lying tongue hateth [those that are] afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.

28. The liar hates his victims, the flattering mouth brings destruction.