Proverbs 26:1-19 ▼

1 Like snow in summer and like rain in harvest, So honor is not fitting for a [shortsighted] fool.

2 Like the sparrow in her wandering, like the swallow in her flying, So the curse without cause does not come and alight [on the undeserving].

3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, And a rod for the backs of fools [who refuse to learn].

4 Do not answer [nor pretend to agree with the frivolous comments of] a [closed-minded] fool according to his folly, Otherwise you, even you, will be like him.

5 Answer [and correct the erroneous concepts of] a fool according to his folly, Otherwise he will be wise in his own eyes [if he thinks you agree with him].

6 He who sends a message by the hand of a fool Cuts off his own feet (sabotages himself) and drinks the violence [it brings on himself as a consequence].

7 Like the legs which are useless to the lame, So is a proverb in the mouth of a fool [who cannot learn from its wisdom].

8 Like one who [absurdly] binds a stone in a sling [making it impossible to throw], So is he who [absurdly] gives honor to a fool.

9 Like a thorn that goes [without being felt] into the hand of a drunken man, So is a proverb in the mouth of a fool [who remains unaffected by its wisdom].

10 Like a [careless] archer who [shoots arrows wildly and] wounds everyone, So is he who hires a fool or those who [by chance just] pass by.

11 Like a dog that returns to his vomit Is a fool who repeats his foolishness.

12 Do you see a man [who is unteachable and] wise in his own eyes and full of self-conceit? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

13 The lazy person [who is self-indulgent and relies on lame excuses] says, “There is a lion in the road! A lion is in the open square [and if I go outside to work I will be killed]!”

14 As the door turns on its hinges, So does the lazy person on his bed [never getting out of it].

15 The lazy person buries his hand in the dish [losing opportunity after opportunity]; It wearies him to bring it back to his mouth.

16 The lazy person is wiser in his own eyes Than seven [sensible] men who can give a discreet answer.

17 Like one who grabs a dog by the ears [and is likely to be bitten] Is he who, passing by, stops to meddle with a dispute that is none of his business.

18 Like a madman who throws Firebrands, arrows, and death,

19 So is the man who deceives his neighbor (acquaintance, friend) And then says, “Was I not joking?”