Proverbs 26:1-16 ▼

1 As dew in harvest, and as rain in summer, so honour is not seemly for a fool.

2 As birds and sparrows fly, so a curse shall not come upon any one without a cause.

3 As a whip for a horse, and a goad for an ass, so is a rod for a simple nation.

4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou become like him.

5 Yet answer a fool according to his folly, lest he seem wise in his own conceit.

6 He that sends a message by a foolish messenger procures for himself a reproach from his own ways.

7 As well take away the motion of the legs, as transgression from the mouth of fools.

8 He that binds up a stone in a sling, is like one that gives glory to a fool.

9 Thorns grow in the hand of a drunkard, and servitude in the hand of fools.

10 All the flesh of fools endures much hardship; for their fury is brought to nought.

11 As when a dog goes to his own vomit, and becomes abominable, so is fool who returns in his wickedness to his own sin. There is a shame that brings sin: and there is a shame that is glory and grace.

12 I have seen a man who seemed to himself to be wise; but a fool had more hope than he.

13 A sluggard when sent on a journey says, There is a lion in the ways, and there are murderers in the streets.

14 As a door turns on the hinge, so does a sluggard on his bed.

15 A sluggard having hid his hand in his bosom, will not be able to bring it up to his mouth.

16 A sluggard seems to himself wiser than one who most satisfactorily brings back a message.