26:1 LIKE SNOW in summer and like rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a [self-confident] fool. |
26:2 Like the sparrow in her wandering, like the swallow in her flying, so the causeless curse does not alight. |
26:3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a [straight, slender] rod for the backs of [self-confident] fools. |
26:4 Answer not a [self-confident] fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him. |
26:5 Answer a [self-confident] fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes {and} conceit. |
26:6 He who sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off the feet [of satisfactory delivery] and drinks the damage. |
26:7 Like the legs of a lame man which hang loose, so is a parable in the mouth of a fool. |
26:8 Like he who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honor to a [self-confident] fool. |
26:9 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. |
26:10 [But] like an archer who wounds all, so is he who hires a fool or chance passers-by. |
26:11 As a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool returns to his folly. |
26:12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes {and} conceit? There is more hope for a [self-confident] fool than for him. |
26:13 The sluggard says, There is a lion in the way! A lion is in the streets! |
26:14 As the door turns on its hinges, so does the lazy man [move not from his place] upon his bed. |
26:15 The slothful {and} self-indulgent buries his hand in his bosom; it distresses {and} wearies him to bring it again to his mouth. |
26:16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes {and} conceit than seven men who can render a reason {and} answer discreetly. |
26:17 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. |
26:18 Like a madman who casts firebrands, arrows, and death, |
26:19 So is the man who deceives his neighbor and then says, Was I not joking? |
26:20 For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, contention ceases. |
26:21 As coals are to hot embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man to inflame strife. |
26:22 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]. |
26:23 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]. |
26:24 He who hates pretends with his lips, but stores up deceit within himself. |
26:25 When he speaks kindly, do not trust him, for seven abominations are in his heart. |
26:26 Though his hatred covers itself with guile, his wickedness shall be shown openly before the assembly. |
26:27 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. |
26:28 A lying tongue hates those it wounds {and} crushes, and a flattering mouth works ruin. |