Proverbs 26
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New King James VersionHolman Christian Standard Bible
1As snow in summer and rain in harvest, So honor is not fitting for a fool.1Like snow in summer and rain at harvest, honor is inappropriate for a fool.
2Like a flitting sparrow, like a flying swallow, So a curse without cause shall not alight.2Like a flitting sparrow or a fluttering swallow, an undeserved curse goes nowhere.
3A whip for the horse, A bridle for the donkey, And a rod for the fool’s back.3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools.
4Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Lest you also be like him.4Don't answer a fool according to his foolishness or you'll be like him yourself.
5Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes.5Answer a fool according to his foolishness or he'll become wise in his own eyes.
6He who sends a message by the hand of a fool Cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.6The one who sends a message by a fool's hand cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.
7Like the legs of the lame that hang limp Is a proverb in the mouth of fools.7A proverb in the mouth of a fool is like lame legs that hang limp.
8Like one who binds a stone in a sling Is he who gives honor to a fool.8Giving honor to a fool is like binding a stone in a sling.
9Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard Is a proverb in the mouth of fools.9A proverb in the mouth of a fool is like a stick with thorns, brandished by the hand of a drunkard.
10The great God who formed everything Gives the fool his hire and the transgressor his wages.10The one who hires a fool or who hires those passing by is like an archer who wounds everyone.
11As a dog returns to his own vomit, So a fool repeats his folly.11As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his foolishness.
12Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.12Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
13The lazy man says, “There is a lion in the road! A fierce lion is in the streets!”13The slacker says, "There's a lion in the road-- a lion in the public square!"
14As a door turns on its hinges, So does the lazy man on his bed.14A door turns on its hinges, and a slacker, on his bed.
15The lazy man buries his hand in the bowl; It wearies him to bring it back to his mouth.15The slacker buries his hand in the bowl; he is too weary to bring it to his mouth.
16The lazy man is wiser in his own eyes Than seven men who can answer sensibly.16In his own eyes, a slacker is wiser than seven men who can answer sensibly.
17He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own Is like one who takes a dog by the ears.17A person who is passing by and meddles in a quarrel that's not his is like one who grabs a dog by the ears.
18Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death,18Like a madman who throws flaming darts and deadly arrows,
19Is the man who deceives his neighbor, And says, “I was only joking!”19so is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, "I was only joking!"
20Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.20Without wood, fire goes out; without a gossip, conflict dies down.
21As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle strife.21As charcoal for embers and wood for fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.
22The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, And they go down into the inmost body.22A gossip's words are like choice food that goes down to one's innermost being.
23Fervent lips with a wicked heart Are like earthenware covered with silver dross.23Smooth lips with an evil heart are like glaze on an earthen vessel.
24He who hates, disguises it with his lips, And lays up deceit within himself;24A hateful person disguises himself with his speech and harbors deceit within.
25When he speaks kindly, do not believe him, For there are seven abominations in his heart;25When he speaks graciously, don't believe him, for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26Though his hatred is covered by deceit, His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly.26Though his hatred is concealed by deception, his evil will be revealed in the assembly.
27Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, And he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.27The one who digs a pit will fall into it, and whoever rolls a stone-- it will come back on him.
28A lying tongue hates those who are crushed by it, And a flattering mouth works ruin.28A lying tongue hates those it crushes, and a flattering mouth causes ruin.
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.
Proverbs 25
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