Proverbs 26
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1Like snowfall in summer or rain at harvest time, so honor is inappropriate for a fool.1Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.
2Like a fluttering sparrow or a swallow in flight, a curse without cause will not alight.2Like a fluttering bird or like a flying swallow, so a curse without cause does not come to rest.
3A whip is for the horses, a bridle is for the donkey, a rod is for the back of fools.3A whip for the horse and a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools!
4Don't answer a fool according to his foolishness, or you will be just like him.4Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you yourself also be like him.
5Answer a fool according to his foolishness, or he will think himself to be wise.5Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own estimation.
6Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.6Like cutting off the feet or drinking violence, so is sending a message by the hand of a fool.
7Useless legs to the lame— that's what a proverb quoted by a fool is.7Like legs that hang limp from the lame, so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
8Tying a stone to a sling— that's what giving honor to a fool is.8Like tying a stone in a sling, so is giving honor to a fool.
9A thorn in the hand of a drunkard— that's what a proverb quoted by a fool is.9Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard, so is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
10An archer who shoots at anyone— is like someone who hires a fool or anyone who passes by.10Like an archer who wounds at random, so is the one who hires a fool or hires any passer-by.
11A dog that returns to its vomit is like a fool who reverts to his folly.11Like a dog that returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.
12Do you see a man who is wise in his own opinion? There's more hope for a fool than for him.12Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
13The lazy person claims, "There is a lion in the road! There's a lion in the streets!"13The sluggard says, "There is a lion in the road! A lion in the streets!"
14The door turns on its hinges— as does the lazy person on his bed.14Like a door that turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed.
15The lazy person buries his hand in the dish, but he's too tired to bring it to his mouth again.15The sluggard plunges his hand in the dish; he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.
16The lazy person is wiser in his own opinion than seven men who can give an appropriate response.16The sluggard is wiser in his own estimation than seven people who respond with good sense.
17Picking up a dog by the ears— that's what someone is like who meddles in another's fight.17Like one who grabs a wild dog by the ears, so is the person passing by who becomes furious over a quarrel not his own.
18Like the maniac who shoots fiery darts and deadly arrows—18Like a madman who shoots firebrands and deadly arrows,
19that's what someone is like who lies to his neighbor and then says, "I was joking, wasn't I?"19so is a person who deceives his neighbor, and says, "Was I not only joking?"
20Without wood, the fire goes out. Without a gossip, contention stops.20Where there is no wood, a fire goes out, and where there is no gossip, contention ceases.
21Charcoal is to hot coals as wood is to fire; so also a quarrelsome man fuels strife.21Like charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, so is a contentious person to kindle strife.
22The words of a gossip are like delicate morsels; they sink down deep within.22The words of a gossip are like delicious morsels; they go down into a person's innermost being.
23A clay vessel plated with a thin veneer of silver— that's what smooth lips with a wicked heart are.23Like a coating of glaze over earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart.
24Someone who hates hides behind his words, harboring deceit within himself.24The one who hates others disguises it with his lips, but he stores up deceit within him.
25Though he speaks graciously, don't believe him, for there are seven detestable things in his heart.25When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, for there are seven abominations within him.
26Though malice disguises itself with deception, its evil will be exposed publicly.26Though his hatred may be concealed by deceit, his evil will be uncovered in the assembly.
27Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and the stone will come back on whoever starts it rolling.27The one who digs a pit will fall into it; the one who rolls a stone--it will come back on him.
28A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth causes ruin.28A lying tongue hates those crushed by it, and a flattering mouth works ruin.
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Proverbs 25
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