Chapter 26

PRO.26:1 As snow in summer and rain in harvest, So honor is not fitting for a fool.
PRO.26:2 Like a flitting sparrow, like a flying swallow, So a curse without cause shall not alight.
PRO.26:3 A whip for the horse, A bridle for the donkey, And a rod for the fool’s back.
PRO.26:4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Lest you also be like him.
PRO.26:5 Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes.
PRO.26:6 He who sends a message by the hand of a fool Cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.
PRO.26:7 Like the legs of the lame that hang limp Is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
PRO.26:8 Like one who binds a stone in a sling Is he who gives honor to a fool.
PRO.26:9 Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard Is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
PRO.26:10 The great God who formed everything Gives the fool his hire and the transgressor his wages.
PRO.26:11 As a dog returns to his own vomit, So a fool repeats his folly.
PRO.26:12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
PRO.26:13 The lazy man says, “There is a lion in the road! A fierce lion is in the streets!”
PRO.26:14 As a door turns on its hinges, So does the lazy man on his bed.
PRO.26:15 The lazy man buries his hand in the bowl; It wearies him to bring it back to his mouth.
PRO.26:16 The lazy man is wiser in his own eyes Than seven men who can answer sensibly.
PRO.26:17 He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own Is like one who takes a dog by the ears.
PRO.26:18 Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death,
PRO.26:19 Is the man who deceives his neighbor, And says, “I was only joking!”
PRO.26:20 Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.
PRO.26:21 As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle strife.
PRO.26:22 The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, And they go down into the inmost body.
PRO.26:23 Fervent lips with a wicked heart Are like earthenware covered with silver dross.
PRO.26:24 He who hates, disguises it with his lips, And lays up deceit within himself;
PRO.26:25 When he speaks kindly, do not believe him, For there are seven abominations in his heart;
PRO.26:26 Though his hatred is covered by deceit, His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly.
PRO.26:27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, And he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.
PRO.26:28 A lying tongue hates those who are crushed by it, And a flattering mouth works ruin.