Proverbs 26:1-19 ▼

1 Lyke as snowe is not meete in sommer and rayne in haruest: euen so is worship vnseemely for a foole.

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.

3 Unto the horse belongeth a whip, to the asse a brydle: and a rod to the fooles backe.

4 Geue not the foole an aunswere after his foolishnes, lest thou become like vnto him.

5 But make the foole an aunswere to his foolishnesse, lest he be wyse in his owne conceipt.

6 As he that cutteth of his messengers feete endamageth himselfe: so doth he that committeth a message to a foole.

7 Like as in a lame man his legges are not equall: euen so is a parable in a fooles mouth.

8 He that setteth a foole in hye dignitie, that is euen as if a man would bynde a stone in a sling.

9 As is a thorne in the hande of a drunkarde: so is a parable in a fooles mouth.

10 The mightie that fourmed al thinges, rewardeth the fooles & transgressours.

11 Like as the dogge turneth agayne to his owne vomite: euen so a foole beginneth his foolishnes agayne afreshe.

12 If thou seest a man that is wise in his owne conceipt: there is more hope in a foole, then in hym.

13 The slouthfull saith, there is a lion in the way, and a lion in the middest of the streates.

14 Like as the doore turneth about vpon the hynges: euen so doth the slouthfull walter him selfe in his bed.

15 The slouthfull body thrusteth his hande into his bosome, and it greeueth hym to put it agayne to his mouth.

16 The sluggarde thinketh him selfe wiser then seuen men that sit and teache.

17 Who so goeth by and medleth with other mens strife: he is like one that taketh a dogge by the eares.

18 As he that fayneth him selfe mad, casteth firebrandes, deadly arrowes and dartes:

19 So doth a dissembler with his neighbour, and saith, am not I in sport?