Proverbs 26
26
All about Fools
1Like snow in summertime and rain at harvest time,
so honor is not right for a fool.
2Like a fluttering sparrow,
like a darting swallow,
so a hastily spoken curse does not come to rest.
3A whip is for the horse,
a bridle is for the donkey,
and a rod is for the backs of fools.
4Do not answer a fool with his own stupidity,
or you will be like him.
5Answer a fool with his own stupidity,
or he will think he is wise.
6Whoever uses a fool to send a message
cuts off his own feet and brings violence upon himself.
7 ⌞Like⌟ a lame person’s limp legs,
so is a proverb in the mouths of fools.
8Like tying a stone to a sling,
so is giving honor to a fool.
9 ⌞Like⌟ a thorn stuck in a drunk’s hand,
so is a proverb in the mouths of fools.
10 ⌞Like⌟ many people who destroy everything,
so is one who hires fools or drifters.
11As a dog goes back to its vomit,
⌞so⌟ a fool repeats his stupidity.
12Have you met a person who thinks he is wise?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.
13A lazy person says,
“There’s a ferocious lion out on the road!
There’s a lion loose in the streets!”
14 ⌞As⌟ a door turns on its hinges,
so the lazy person turns on his bed.
15A lazy person puts his fork in his food.
He wears himself out as he brings it back to his mouth.
16A lazy person thinks he is wiser than seven people who give a sensible answer.
17 ⌞Like⌟ grabbing a dog by the ears,
⌞so⌟ is a bystander who gets involved in someone else’s quarrel.
18Like a madman who shoots flaming arrows, arrows, and death,
19so is the person who tricks his neighbor and says, “I was only joking!”
20Without wood a fire goes out,
and without gossip a quarrel dies down.
21 ⌞As⌟ charcoal fuels burning coals and wood fuels fire,
so a quarrelsome person fuels a dispute.
22The words of a gossip are swallowed greedily,
and they go down into a person’s innermost being.
23 ⌞Like⌟ a clay pot covered with cheap silver,
⌞so⌟ is smooth talk that covers up an evil heart.
24Whoever is filled with hate disguises it with his speech,
but inside he holds on to deceit.
25When he talks charmingly, do not trust him
because of the seven disgusting things in his heart.
26His hatred is deceitfully hidden,
but his wickedness will be revealed to the community.
27Whoever digs a pit will fall into it.
Whoever rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.
28A lying tongue hates its victims,
and a flattering mouth causes ruin.
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Proverbs 26: GW
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GOD'S WORD® Translation ©1995, 2003, 2013, 2014, 2019, 2020 by God's Word to the Nations Mission Society. All rights reserved.
Mishlĕ (Proverbs) 26
26
1Like snow in summer, and rain in harvest, So esteem is not fitting for a fool.
2As a bird wanders, as a swallow flies about, So a curse without cause does not come.
3A whip for a horse, a bridle for a donkey, And a rod for the fool’s back.
4Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Lest you also become like him.
5Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he become wise in his own eyes.
6He who sends a message by the hand of a fool Cuts off feet, drinks damage.
7The legs of the lame hang limp So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
8Like one binding a stone in a sling, So is he who gives esteem to a fool.
9A thorn goes into the hand of a drunkard So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
10An archer who wounds anyone, Is he who hires a fool or any passer-by.
11As a dog returns to his own vomit, So a fool repeats his folly.
12Have you seen a man wise in his own eyes? There is more expectancy for a fool than for him.
13The lazy one says, “There is a lion in the way! A fierce lion is in the streets!”
14As a door turns on its hinges, So does the lazy one turn on his bed.
15The lazy one buries his hand in a dish; It tires him to bring it back to his mouth.
16The lazy one is wiser in his own eyes Than seven rendering advice.
17A passer-by meddling in a strife not his own Is like one who takes hold of a dog by the ears.
18Like a madman who throws sparks, arrows, and death,
19So is a man who deceived his neighbour, And says, “I was only joking!”
20For lack of wood, the fire goes out. And without a slanderer, strife ceases.
21As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle strife.
22The words of a slanderer are as dainty morsels, Which go down into the inner parts of the heart.
23Burning lips with an evil heart Are like earthenware covered with silver dross.
24He who hates, pretends with his lips, And lays up deceit within him;
25Though he speaks kindly, do not believe him, For there are seven abominations in his heart.
26Hatred is covered by deceit. His evil is disclosed in the assembly.
27Whoever digs a pit falls into it, And whoever rolls a stone, it turns back on him.
28A lying tongue hates its bruised ones, And a flattering mouth works ruin.
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