Proverbs 26
26
Similitudes, Instructions
1Like snow in summer and like rain in harvest,
So honor is not fitting for a [shortsighted] #26:1 See note 1:7.fool. [Is 32:6]
2Like the sparrow in her wandering, like the swallow in her flying,
So the curse without cause does not come and alight [on the undeserving]. [Num 23:8]
3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,
And a rod for the backs of fools [who refuse to learn].
4Do 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.
5Answer [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]. [Matt 16:1-4; 21:24-27]
6He 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]. [Prov 13:17]
7Like the legs which are useless to the lame,
So is a proverb in the mouth of a fool [who cannot learn from its wisdom].
8Like one who [absurdly] binds a stone in a sling [making it impossible to throw],
So is he who [absurdly] gives honor to a fool.
9Like 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].
10Like 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.
11Like a dog that returns to his vomit
Is a fool who repeats his foolishness.
12Do 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. [Prov 29:20; Luke 18:11; Rom 12:16; Rev 3:17]
13The 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]!” [Prov 22:13]
14As the door turns on its hinges,
So does the lazy person on his bed [never getting out of it].
15The lazy person buries his hand in the dish [losing opportunity after opportunity];
It wearies him to bring it back to his mouth. [Prov 19:24]
16The lazy person is wiser in his own eyes
Than seven [sensible] men who can give a discreet answer.
17Like 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.
18Like a madman who throws
Firebrands, arrows, and death,
19So is the man who deceives his neighbor (acquaintance, friend)
And then says, “Was I not joking?” [Eph 5:4]
20For lack of wood the fire goes out,
And where there is no whisperer [who gossips], contention quiets down.
21Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire,
So is a contentious man to kindle strife. [Prov 15:18; 29:22]
22The words of a whisperer (gossip) are like dainty morsels [to be greedily eaten];
They go down into the innermost chambers of the body [to be remembered and mused upon]. [Prov 18:8]
23Like a [common] clay vessel covered with the silver dross [making it appear silver when it has no real value]
Are burning lips [murmuring manipulative words] and a wicked heart.
24He who hates, disguises it with his lips,
But he stores up deceit in his heart.
25When he speaks graciously and kindly [to conceal his malice], do not trust him,
For seven abominations are in his heart.
26 Though his hatred covers itself with guile and deceit,
His malevolence will be revealed openly before the assembly.
27Whoever digs a pit [for another man’s feet] will fall into it,
And he who rolls a stone [up a hill to do mischief], it will come back on him. [Ps 7:15, 16; 9:15; 10:2; 57:6; Prov 28:10; Eccl 10:8]
28A lying tongue hates those it wounds and crushes,
And a flattering mouth works ruin.
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Proverbs 26
26
1As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest,
So honor is not seemly for a fool.
2As the sparrow in her wandering, as the swallow in her flying,
So the curse that is causeless alighteth not.
3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass,
And a rod for the back of fools.
4Answer not a fool according to his folly,
Lest thou also be like unto him.
5Answer a fool according to his folly,
Lest he be wise in his own conceit.
6He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool
Cutteth off his own feet, and drinketh in damage.
7The legs of the lame hang loose;
So is a parable in the mouth of fools.
8As one that bindeth a stone in a sling,
So is he that giveth honor to a fool.
9 As a thorn that goeth up into the hand of a drunkard,
So is a parable in the mouth of fools.
10 As an archer that woundeth all,
So is he that hireth a fool and he that hireth them that pass by.
11As a dog that returneth to his vomit,
So is a fool that repeateth his folly.
12Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit?
There is more hope of a fool than of him.
13The sluggard saith, There is a lion in the way;
A lion is in the streets.
14 As the door turneth upon its hinges,
So doth the sluggard upon his bed.
15The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish;
It wearieth him to bring it again to his mouth.
16The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit
Than seven men that can render a reason.
17He that passeth by, and vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him,
Is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
18As a madman who casteth firebrands,
Arrows, and death,
19So is the man that deceiveth his neighbor,
And saith, Am not I in sport?
20For lack of wood the fire goeth out;
And where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth.
21 As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire,
So is a contentious man to inflame strife.
22The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels,
And they go down into the innermost parts.
23Fervent lips and a wicked heart
Are like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.
24He that hateth dissembleth with his lips;
But he layeth up deceit within him:
25When he speaketh fair, believe him not;
For there are seven abominations in his heart:
26Though his hatred cover itself with guile,
His wickedness shall be openly showed before the assembly.
27Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein;
And he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.
28A lying tongue hateth those whom it hath wounded;
And a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
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