Proverbs 26:1-19 Parallel Bible Translations

Proverbs 26:1-19 ▼
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1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool. 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 sparrow in her wandering, as the swallow in her flying, so the curse that is causeless lighteth not. 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 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the back of fools. 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 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto 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 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit. 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 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off his own feet, and drinketh in damage. 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 The legs of the lame hang loose: so is a parable in the mouth of fools. 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 As a bag of gems in a heap of stones, so is he that giveth honour to a fool. 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 a thorn that goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the month of fools. 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 As an archer that woundeth all, so is he that hireth the fool and he that hireth them that pass by. 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 As a dog that returneth to his vomit, so is a fool that repeateth his folly. 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 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him. 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 sluggard saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets. 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 As the door turneth upon its hinges, so doth the sluggard upon 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 sluggard burieth his hand in the dish; it wearieth him to bring it again 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 sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason. 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 He that passeth by, and vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears. 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 a madman who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death; Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death Like a maniac shooting flaming arrows of death
19 So is the man that deceiveth 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!”
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