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.
Currently Selected:
Proverbs 26: AMP
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
Amplified® Bible
Copyright © 2015 by
The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631
All rights reserved. http://www.lockman.org
Proverbs 26
26
Folly of Fools
1Like snow in summer or rain at harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.
2Like a fluttering sparrow or a flying swallow, so an undeserved curse does not land.
3A whip for a horse, a bridle for a donkey, and a rod for the back of fools.
4Do not answer a fool according to his folly, else you also will be like him.
5Answer a fool according to his folly, else he will be wise in his own eyes.
6Like cutting off one’s feet or drinking violence is sending a message by a fool’s hand.
7Like a lame man’s legs that hang limp, so is a proverb in a fool’s mouth.
8Like tying a stone into a sling, so is giving honor to a fool.
9Like a thorn bush in a drunkard’s hand is a proverb in a fool’s mouth.
10Like an archer who wounds at random is one who hires a fool or any passer-by.
11Like a dog that returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.
12Do you see one wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than him.
Folly of Slackers
13A slacker says, “There’s a lion on the road! A lion is in the streets!”
14As a door turns on its hinges so a slacker turns on his bed.
15The slacker plunges his hand in the dish— he is too tired to bring it back to his mouth.
16A slacker is wiser in his own eyes than seven people who answer sensibly.
Folly of Lashon Ha-Ra
17Like one who takes a dog by the ears is a passer-by who meddles in a quarrel not his own.
18Like a madman shooting firebrands and deadly arrows
19so is one who deceives his friend, and says, “I was only joking.”
20Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip quarrels cease.
21As coals are to embers and wood to fire, so is a contentious person to kindling strife.
22A gossip’s words are like tasty morsels— they slide down into the innermost parts of the body.
23Like silver glaze overlaying earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart.
24One who hates, disguises it with his lips, but he stores up deceit within him.
25When he speaks favorably, do not believe him, for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26Though his hatred may be concealed by deceit, his evil will be exposed before the assembly.
27Whoever digs a pit will fall in it, and whoever rolls a stone— it will come back upon him.
28A lying tongue hates those crushed by it, and a flattering mouth causes ruin.
Currently Selected:
:
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
Copyright © 2014 - Messianic Jewish Family Bible Society