26:1 Like snow in summer and like rain in harvest, So honor is not 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 A whip is 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 be like him. |
26:5 Answer a fool as his folly {deserves,} That he not be wise 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 {Like} the legs {which} are useless to the lame, So is a proverb in the mouth of fools. |
26:8 Like one who binds a stone in a sling, So is he who gives honor to a fool. |
26:9 {Like} a thorn {which} falls into the hand of a drunkard, So is a proverb in the mouth of fools. |
26:10 {Like} an archer who wounds everyone, So is he who hires a fool or who hires those who pass by. |
26:11 Like a dog that returns to its vomit Is a fool who repeats his folly. |
26:12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. |
26:13 The sluggard says, "There is a lion in the road! A lion is 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 is weary of bringing it to his mouth again. |
26:16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes Than seven men who can give a discreet answer. |
26:17 {Like} one who takes a dog by the ears Is he who passes by {and} meddles with strife not belonging to him. |
26:18 Like a madman who throws Firebrands, arrows and death, |
26:19 So is the man who deceives his neighbor, And says, "Was I not joking?" |
26:20 For lack of wood the fire goes out, And where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down. |
26:21 {Like} charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle strife. |
26:22 The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts of the body. |
26:23 {Like} an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross Are burning lips and a wicked heart. |
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 there are seven abominations in his heart. |
26:26 {Though his} hatred covers itself with guile, His wickedness will be revealed 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. |