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
1Like snow in the summer or rain at harvest,
so honor isn’t appropriate for a fool.
2Like a darting sparrow, like a flying swallow,
so an undeserved curse never arrives.
3A whip for a horse, a bridle for a donkey,
and a rod for the back of fools.
4Don’t answer fools according to their folly,
or you will become like them yourself.
5Answer fools according to their folly,
or they will deem themselves wise.
6Sending messages with a fool
is like cutting off one’s feet or drinking down violence.
7As legs dangle from a disabled person,
so does a proverb in the mouth of fools.
8Like tying a stone in a sling,
so is giving respect to a fool.
9Like a thorny bush in the hand of a drunk,
so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
10Like an archer who wounds someone randomly,
so is one who hires a fool or a passerby.
11Like a dog that returns to its vomit,
so a fool repeats foolish mistakes.
12Do you see people who consider themselves wise?
There is more hope for a fool than for them.
13A lazy person says, “There’s a lion in the path!
A lion in the plazas!”
14As a door turns on its hinge,
so do lazy people in their beds.
15Lazy people bury their hand into the bowl,
too tired to return it to their mouth.
16Lazy people think they are wiser
than seven people who answer sensibly.
17Like yanking the ears of a dog,
so is one who passes by and gets involved in another person’s fight.
18Like a crazy person shooting deadly flaming arrows
19are those who deceive their neighbor and say, “Hey, I was only joking!”
20Without wood a fire goes out;
without gossips, conflict calms down.
21Like adding charcoal to embers or wood to fire,
quarrelsome people kindle strife.
22The words of gossips are like choice snacks;
they go down to the inmost parts.
23Smooth#26.23 LXX; Heb uncertain lips and an evil heart
are like silver coating on clay.
24Hateful people mislead with their lips,
keeping their deception within.
25Though they speak graciously, don’t believe them,
for seven horrible things are in their heart.
26They may cover their hatred with trickery,
but their evil will be revealed in public.
27Those who dig a pit will fall in it;
those who roll a stone will have it turn back on them.
28A lying tongue hates those it crushes;
a flattering mouth causes destruction.
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