26:1 Like snow in summer and like rain in harvest,So honor does not seem fitting for a fool. |
26:2 Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying,So a curse without cause does not alight. |
26:3 We use a whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, And a rod for the back of fools. |
26:4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Or you will also behave like him. |
26:5 Answer a fool as his folly deserves, That he not attain presume wisdom in his own eyes. |
26:6 He cuts off his own feet and drinks violence Who sends a message by the hand of a fool. |
26:7 A proverb in the mouth of fools resembles the legs which prove useless to the lame, |
26:8 He who gives honor to a fool resembles one who binds a stone in a sling, |
26:9 A proverb in the mouth of fools resembles a thorn which falls into the hand of a drunkard, |
26:10 He who hires a fool or who hires those who pass by resembles an archer who wounds everyone, |
26:11 A fool who repeats his folly resembles a dog that returns to its vomit |
26:12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? We have more hope for a fool than for him. |
26:13 The sluggard says, "A lion could have roamed onto the road! A lion could have wandered in the open square!" |
26:14 As the door turns on its hinges, So does the sluggard on his bed. |
26:15 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; He has incredible fatigue when he tries to bring it to his mouth again. |
26:16 The sluggard feels wiser in his own eyes Than seven men who can give a discreet answer. |
26:17 He who passes by and meddles with strife not belonging to him resembles one who takes a dog by the ears. |
26:18 Like a madman who throws Firebrands, arrows and death, |
26:19 The man who deceives his neighbor, And says, " Did I not joke?" |
26:20 For lack of wood the fire goes out, And where no whisperer exists, contention quiets down. |
26:21 A contentious man to kindle strife resembles charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, |
26:22 The words of a whisperer resemble dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts of the body. |
26:23 Burning lips and a wicked heart resemble an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross |
26:24 He who hates disguises it with his lips, But he lays up deceit in his heart. |
26:25 When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, For seven abominations abound in his heart. |
26:26 Though his hatred covers itself with guile, His wickedness will reveal itself before the assembly. |
26:27 He who digs a pit will fall into it, And he who rolls a stone, it will come back on him. |
26:28 A lying tongue hates those it crushes, And a flattering mouth works ruin. |