Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest. New Living Translation Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse will not land on its intended victim. English Standard Version Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, a curse that is causeless does not alight. Berean Standard Bible Like a fluttering sparrow or darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest. King James Bible As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come. New King James Version Like a flitting sparrow, like a flying swallow, So a curse without cause shall not alight. New American Standard Bible Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, So a curse without cause does not come to rest. NASB 1995 Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, So a curse without cause does not alight. NASB 1977 Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, So a curse without cause does not alight. Legacy Standard Bible Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in flying, So a curse without cause does not come to pass. Amplified Bible 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]. Christian Standard Bible Like a flitting sparrow or a fluttering swallow, an undeserved curse goes nowhere. Holman Christian Standard Bible Like a flitting sparrow or a fluttering swallow, an undeserved curse goes nowhere. American Standard Version As the sparrow in her wandering, as the swallow in her flying, So the curse that is causeless alighteth not. Contemporary English Version A curse you don't deserve will take wings and fly away like a sparrow or a swallow. English Revised Version As the sparrow in her wandering, as the swallow in her flying, so the curse that is causeless lighteth not. GOD'S WORD® Translation Like a fluttering sparrow, like a darting swallow, so a hastily spoken curse does not come to rest. Good News Translation Curses cannot hurt you unless you deserve them. They are like birds that fly by and never light. International Standard Version Like a fluttering sparrow or a swallow in flight, a curse without cause will not alight. NET Bible Like a fluttering bird or like a flying swallow, so a curse without cause does not come to rest. New Heart English Bible Like a fluttering sparrow, like a darting swallow, so the undeserved curse doesn't come to rest. Webster's Bible Translation As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleLike a fluttering sparrow or darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest. World English Bible Like a fluttering sparrow, like a darting swallow, so the undeserved curse doesn’t come to rest. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAs a bird by wandering, as a swallow by flying, "" So reviling without cause does not come. Young's Literal Translation As a bird by wandering, as a swallow by flying, So reviling without cause doth not come. Smith's Literal Translation As the sparrow for wandering, as the swallow for flying, so the curse shall not come in vain. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAs a bird flying to other places, and a sparrow going here or there: so a curse uttered without cause shall come upon a man. Catholic Public Domain Version Like a bird flying away to another place, and like a sparrow that hurries away freely, so also a curse uttered against someone without cause will pass away. New American Bible Like the sparrow in its flitting, like the swallow in its flight, a curse uncalled-for never lands. New Revised Standard Version Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, an undeserved curse goes nowhere. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleLike sparrows wandering and like birds flying in the air, so the curse that is causeless shall be driven away. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Like a bird and a flying creature in the air, so an empty curse wanders. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917As the wandering sparrow, as the flying swallow, So the curse that is causeless shall come home. Brenton Septuagint Translation As birds and sparrows fly, so a curse shall not come upon any one without a cause. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Similitudes and Instructions1Like snow in summer and rain at harvest, honor does not befit a fool. 2Like a fluttering sparrow or darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest. 3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools!… Cross References Numbers 23:8 How can I curse those whom God has not cursed? How can I denounce those whom the LORD has not denounced? Deuteronomy 23:5 Yet the LORD your God would not listen to Balaam, and the LORD your God turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the LORD your God loves you. Psalm 109:28 Though they curse, You will bless. When they rise up, they will be put to shame, but Your servant will rejoice. Isaiah 54:17 No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their vindication is from Me,” declares the LORD. Genesis 12:3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you.” Genesis 27:29 May peoples serve you and nations bow down to you. May you be the master of your brothers, and may the sons of your mother bow down to you. May those who curse you be cursed, and those who bless you be blessed.” 2 Samuel 16:12 Perhaps the LORD will see my affliction and repay me with good for the cursing I receive today.” Job 5:3 I have seen a fool taking root, but suddenly his house was cursed. Psalm 37:22 Surely those He blesses will inherit the land, but the cursed will be destroyed. Psalm 91:5-8 You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, / nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the calamity that destroys at noon. / Though a thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand, no harm will come near you. ... Psalm 109:17-18 The cursing that he loved, may it fall on him; the blessing in which he refused to delight, may it be far from him. / The cursing that he wore like a coat, may it soak into his body like water, and into his bones like oil. Psalm 140:9-11 May the heads of those who surround me be covered in the trouble their lips have caused. / May burning coals fall on them; may they be thrown into the fire, into the miry pits, never to rise again. / May no slanderer be established in the land; may calamity hunt down the man of violence. Ecclesiastes 10:20 Do not curse the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich even in your bedroom, for a bird of the air may carry your words, and a winged creature may report your speech. Matthew 5:44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, Matthew 12:36-37 But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. / For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” Treasury of Scripture As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come. so Numbers 23:8 How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? or how shall I defy, whom the LORD hath not defied? Deuteronomy 23:4,5 Because they met you not with bread and with water in the way, when ye came forth out of Egypt; and because they hired against thee Balaam the son of Beor of Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse thee… 1 Samuel 14:28,29 Then answered one of the people, and said, Thy father straitly charged the people with an oath, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food this day. And the people were faint… Jump to Previous Alight Alighteth Bird Cause Causeless Curse Darting Flight Fluttering Flying Home Rest Reviling Sparrow Swallow WanderingJump to Next Alight Alighteth Bird Cause Causeless Curse Darting Flight Fluttering Flying Home Rest Reviling Sparrow Swallow WanderingProverbs 26 1. observations about fools13. about sluggards 17. and about contentious busybodies Like a fluttering sparrow or darting swallow This phrase uses imagery from nature, common in Hebrew poetry, to convey a message. Sparrows and swallows are small, agile birds known for their erratic flight patterns. In biblical times, these birds were familiar to the people of Israel, often seen in the skies above their homes and fields. The comparison to these birds suggests something that is transient and without a fixed destination. In the broader biblical context, birds often symbolize freedom and the fleeting nature of life (Psalm 84:3, Matthew 6:26). The use of these birds here emphasizes the idea of movement without purpose or effect. an undeserved curse does not come to rest Persons / Places / Events 1. SolomonTraditionally considered the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. His insights are foundational to understanding the practical and moral teachings in Proverbs. 2. Sparrow and Swallow These birds are used metaphorically in this verse. Sparrows and swallows are small, agile birds known for their erratic flight patterns, symbolizing the fleeting and ineffective nature of an undeserved curse. 3. Curses In the biblical context, a curse is a pronouncement of ill fortune or judgment. This verse specifically addresses curses that are not justified or deserved. Teaching Points Understanding the Nature of CursesCurses have no power unless they are justified. This verse reassures believers that unjust accusations or ill wishes cannot harm them if they are living righteously. God's Sovereign Protection Just as a bird cannot be controlled in its flight, an undeserved curse cannot find a resting place. Believers can trust in God's protection against baseless attacks. Living Righteously The best defense against any form of spiritual attack is a life of integrity and obedience to God. When we live according to God's will, we are shielded from undeserved harm. Trust in God's Justice This verse encourages believers to trust in God's justice. He sees all and will ensure that unjust curses do not prevail. Responding to False Accusations When faced with false accusations or curses, believers should respond with grace and truth, knowing that God is their defender. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 26Proverbs 26:2: Is there historical or scientific evidence to support the statement that an undeserved curse has no effect? How does obedience to God lead to blessings? Proverbs 26:7: Does the idea of a proverb in a fool's mouth being 'useless' conflict with other Bible passages that suggest all wisdom is beneficial? What does the Bible say about ageism?(2) As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying.--Rather, As the bird (any small one, especially the sparrow) is made for wandering, and the swallow for flying (where it pleases), so the curse causeless (i.e., spoken without reason) shall not come (reach its destination). The Hebrew reads in the margin "to him," instead of "not," in the sense that a causeless curse, though it passes out of sight like a bird in its flight, yet returns "to him" who uttered it--an idea expressed in more than one English proverb. (Comp. Psalm 109:17-18; Isaiah 55:11.)Verse 2. - As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying. "Bird" (tsippor) is the sparrow, which is found throughout Palestine; "swallow" (deror), the free flier. The Authorized Version hardly gives the sense. The line should be rendered, as the sparrow in (in respect of) its wandering, as the swallow in its flying. The point of comparison is the vagueness and aimlessness of the birds' flight, or the uselessness of trying to catch them in their course. So the curse causeless shall not come. It shall, as it were, spend its force in the air, and fall not on the head on which it was invoked. A causeless curse is that which is uttered against one who has done nothing to deserve such denunciation. Septuagint, "As birds and sparrows fly, so a causeless (ματαία) curse shall come upon no one" (comp. 1 Samuel 17:43; Nehemiah 13:2.) Bailey, 'Festus' - "Blessings star forth forever; but a curse Hebrew Like a flutteringלָ֭נוּד (lā·nūḏ) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 5110: To nod, waver, to wander, flee, disappear, to console, deplore, taunt sparrow כַּצִּפּ֣וֹר (kaṣ·ṣip·pō·wr) Preposition-k, Article | Noun - common singular Strong's 6833: A little bird or darting לָע֑וּף (lā·‘ūp̄) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 5774: To fly, to faint swallow, כַּדְּר֣וֹר (kad·də·rō·wr) Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1866: The swift, a kind of swallow an undeserved חִ֝נָּ֗ם (ḥin·nām) Adverb Strong's 2600: Gratis, devoid of cost, reason, advantage curse קִֽלְלַ֥ת (qil·laṯ) Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 7045: Vilification does not ל֣וֹ (lōw) Preposition | third person masculine singular Strong's 3808: Not, no come to rest. תָבֹֽא׃ (ṯā·ḇō) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go Links Proverbs 26:2 NIVProverbs 26:2 NLT Proverbs 26:2 ESV Proverbs 26:2 NASB Proverbs 26:2 KJV Proverbs 26:2 BibleApps.com Proverbs 26:2 Biblia Paralela Proverbs 26:2 Chinese Bible Proverbs 26:2 French Bible Proverbs 26:2 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Proverbs 26:2 Like a fluttering sparrow like a darting (Prov. 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