Proverbs 26
26
1 LIKE SNOW in summer and like rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a [self-confident] fool. [Isa. 32:6.]
2 Like the sparrow in her wandering, like the swallow in her flying, so the causeless curse does not alight. [Num. 23:8.]
3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a [straight, slender] rod for the backs of [self-confident] fools.
4 Answer not a [self-confident] fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him.
5 Answer a [self-confident] fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes and conceit. [Matt. 16:1-4; 21:24-27.]
6 He who sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off the feet [of satisfactory delivery] and drinks the damage. [Prov. 13:17.]
7 Like the legs of a lame man which hang loose, so is a parable in the mouth of a fool.
8 Like he who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honor to a [self-confident] fool.
9 Like a thorn that goes [without being felt] into the hand of a drunken man, so is a proverb in the mouth of a [self-confident] fool.
10 [But] like an archer who wounds all, so is he who hires a fool or chance passers-by.
11 As a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool returns to his folly.
12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes and conceit? There is more hope for a [self-confident] fool than for him. [Prov. 29:20; Luke 18:11; Rom. 12:16; Rev. 3:17.]
13 The sluggard says, There is a lion in the way! A lion is in the streets! [Prov. 22:13.]
14 As the door turns on its hinges, so does the lazy man [move not from his place] upon his bed.
15 The slothful and self-indulgent buries his hand in his bosom; it distresses and wearies him to bring it again to his mouth. [Prov. 19:24.]
16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes and conceit than seven men who can render a reason and answer discreetly.
17 He who, passing by, stops to meddle with strife that is none of his business is like one who takes a dog by the ears.
18 Like a madman who casts firebrands, arrows, and death,
19 So is the man who deceives his neighbor and then says, Was I not joking? [Eph. 5:4.]
20 For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, contention ceases.
21 As coals are to hot embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man to inflame strife. [Prov. 15:18; 29:22.]
22 The words of a whisperer or slanderer are like dainty morsels or words of sport [to some, but to others are like deadly wounds]; and they go down into the innermost parts of the body [or of the victim's nature].
23 Burning lips [uttering insincere words of love] and a wicked heart are like an earthen vessel covered with the scum thrown off from molten silver [making it appear to be solid silver].
24 He who hates pretends with his lips, but stores up deceit within himself.
25 When he speaks kindly, do not trust him, for seven abominations are in his heart.
26 Though his hatred covers itself with guile, his wickedness shall be shown openly before the assembly.
27 Whoever digs a pit [for another man's feet] shall fall into it himself, and he who rolls a stone [up a height to do mischief], it will return upon him. [Ps. 7:15, 16; 9:15; 10:2; 57:6; Prov. 28:10; Eccl. 10:8.]
28 A lying tongue hates those it wounds and crushes, and a flattering mouth works ruin.
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1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation
Proverbs 26
26
1As snow in summer #1 Sam. 12:17and rain in harvest,
So honor is not fitting for a fool.
2Like a flitting sparrow, like a flying swallow,
So #Num. 23:8; Deut. 23:5; 2 Sam. 16:12a curse without cause shall not alight.
3#Ps. 32:9; Prov. 19:29A whip for the horse,
A bridle for the donkey,
And a rod for the fool’s back.
4Do not answer a fool according to his folly,
Lest you also be like him.
5#Matt. 16:1–4; Rom. 12:16Answer a fool according to his folly,
Lest he be wise in his own eyes.
6He who sends a message by the hand of a fool
Cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.
7Like the legs of the lame that hang limp
Is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
8Like one who binds a stone in a sling
Is he who gives honor to a fool.
9Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard
Is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
10The great God who formed everything
Gives the fool his hire and the transgressor his wages.
11#2 Pet. 2:22As a dog returns to his own vomit,
#Ex. 8:15So a fool repeats his folly.
12#Prov. 29:20; Luke 18:11, 12; (Rev. 3:17)Do you see a man wise in his own eyes?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.
13The lazy man says, “There is a lion in the road!
A fierce lion is in the streets!”
14As a door turns on its hinges,
So does the lazy man on his bed.
15The #Prov. 19:24lazy man buries his hand in the bowl;
It wearies him to bring it back to his mouth.
16The lazy man is wiser in his own eyes
Than seven men who can answer sensibly.
17He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own
Is like one who takes a dog by the ears.
18Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death,
19Is the man who deceives his neighbor,
And says, #Eph. 5:4“I was only joking!”
20Where there is no wood, the fire goes out;
And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.
21#Prov. 15:18As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire,
So is a contentious man to kindle strife.
22The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles,
And they go down into the inmost body.
23Fervent lips with a wicked heart
Are like earthenware covered with silver dross.
24He who hates, disguises it with his lips,
And lays up deceit within himself;
25#Ps. 28:3; Prov. 26:23; Jer. 9:8When he speaks kindly, do not believe him,
For there are seven abominations in his heart;
26Though his hatred is covered by deceit,
His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly.
27#Esth. 7:10; Ps. 7:15; Prov. 28:10; Eccl. 10:8Whoever digs a pit will fall into it,
And he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.
28A lying tongue hates those who are crushed by it,
And a flattering mouth works #Prov. 29:5ruin.
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The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.