Proverbs 26 Parallel Bible Translations

Proverbs 26 ▼
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BISHOPS
Bishops' Bible of 1568
ESV
English Standard Version
NIV
New International Version
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1 Lyke as snowe is not meete in sommer and rayne in haruest: euen so is worship vnseemely for a foole. Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool. Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, honor is not fitting for a fool.
2 As the byrde and the swalowe take their flight and flee here and there: so the curse that is geuen in vayne, shall not light vpon a man. Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, a curse that is causeless does not alight. Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest.
3 Unto the horse belongeth a whip, to the asse a brydle: and a rod to the fooles backe. A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools. A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools!
4 Geue not the foole an aunswere after his foolishnes, lest thou become like vnto him. Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself. Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him.
5 But make the foole an aunswere to his foolishnesse, lest he be wyse in his owne conceipt. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes. Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.
6 As he that cutteth of his messengers feete endamageth himselfe: so doth he that committeth a message to a foole. Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence. Sending a message by the hands of a fool is like cutting off one’s feet or drinking poison.
7 Like as in a lame man his legges are not equall: euen so is a parable in a fooles mouth. Like a lame man’s legs, which hang useless, is a proverb in the mouth of fools. Like the useless legs of one who is lame is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
8 He that setteth a foole in hye dignitie, that is euen as if a man would bynde a stone in a sling. Like one who binds the stone in the sling is one who gives honor to a fool. Like tying a stone in a sling is the giving of honor to a fool.
9 As is a thorne in the hande of a drunkarde: so is a parable in a fooles mouth. Like a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of fools. Like a thornbush in a drunkard’s hand is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
10 The mightie that fourmed al thinges, rewardeth the fooles & transgressours. Like an archer who wounds everyone is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard. Like an archer who wounds at random is one who hires a fool or any passer-by.
11 Like as the dogge turneth agayne to his owne vomite: euen so a foole beginneth his foolishnes agayne afreshe. Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly. As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly.
12 If thou seest a man that is wise in his owne conceipt: there is more hope in a foole, then in hym. Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. Do you see a person wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them.
13 The slouthfull saith, there is a lion in the way, and a lion in the middest of the streates. The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! There is a lion in the streets!” A sluggard says, “There’s a lion in the road, a fierce lion roaming the streets!”
14 Like as the doore turneth about vpon the hynges: euen so doth the slouthfull walter him selfe in his bed. As a door turns on its hinges, so does a sluggard on his bed. As a door turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed.
15 The slouthfull body thrusteth his hande into his bosome, and it greeueth hym to put it agayne to his mouth. The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth. A sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.
16 The sluggarde thinketh him selfe wiser then seuen men that sit and teache. The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly. A sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven people who answer discreetly.
17 Who so goeth by and medleth with other mens strife: he is like one that taketh a dogge by the eares. Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears. Like one who grabs a stray dog by the ears is someone who rushes into a quarrel not their own.
18 As he that fayneth him selfe mad, casteth firebrandes, deadly arrowes and dartes: Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death Like a maniac shooting flaming arrows of death
19 So doth a dissembler with his neighbour, and saith, am not I in sport? is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I am only joking!” is one who deceives their neighbor and says, “I was only joking!”
20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: euen so where the talebearer is taken away, there the strife ceasseth. For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases. Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down.
21 As coles kindle heate, and wood the fire: euen so doth a brawling felowe stirre vp variaunce. As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife. As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.
22 A talebearers wordes are lyke men that strike with hammers, and they pearse the inwarde partes of the body. The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body. The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.
23 Burning lippes and a wicked heart, are like a potsharde couered with siluer drosse. Like the glaze covering an earthen vessel are fervent lips with an evil heart. Like a coating of silver dross on earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart.
24 An enemie wyll dissemble with his lippes, and layeth vp deceipt in his heart. Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart; Enemies disguise themselves with their lips, but in their hearts they harbor deceit.
25 But when he speaketh fayre, beleue hym not: for there are seuen abhominations in his heart. when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart; Though their speech is charming, do not believe them, for seven abominations fill their hearts.
26 Hatred maye be couered by deceipt: but the malice therof shalbe shewed before the whole congregation. though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly. Their malice may be concealed by deception, but their wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
27 Who so diggeth vp a pit, shal fall therin: and he that rolleth vp a stone, it wyl returne vpon hym. Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling. Whoever digs a pit will fall into it; if someone rolls a stone, it will roll back on them.
28 A lying tongue hateth the afflicted: and a flattering mouth worketh mischiefe. A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin. A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin.
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