Proverbs 26

Similitudes and Instructions

¹As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool. ²As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come. ³A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back.

⁴Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. ⁵Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.^a

⁶He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.^{b 7}The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.^{c 8}As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.^{d 9}As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools. ¹⁰The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.^{e 11}As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.^{f 12}Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him. ¹³The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets. ¹⁴As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed. ¹⁵The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.^{g 16}The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason. ¹⁷He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.^h

¹⁸As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,^{i 19}So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?

²⁰Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.^{jkl 21}As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife. ²²The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.^{m 23}Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.

²⁴He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;^{n 25}When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.^{o 26}Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.^{p 27}Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him. ²⁸A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.