Proverbs Chapter 26 Back Next{26:1} Like snow in summer, and as rain in
harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.
{26:2} Like a fluttering sparrow, like a darting swallow, so the undeserved curse doesn't come to rest.
{26:3} A whip is for the
horse, a
bridle for the
donkey, and a rod for the back of fools!
{26:4} Don't answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him.
{26:5} Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.
{26:6} One who sends a message by the hand of a fool is cutting off feet and drinking violence.
{26:7} Like the legs of the lame that hang loose: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
{26:8} As one who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honor to a fool.
{26:9} Like a thornbush that goes into the hand of a
drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
{26:10} As an
archer who wounds all, so is he who hires a fool or he who hires those who pass by.
{26:11} As a dog that returns to his vomit, so 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 fierce lion roams the streets!"
{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 too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.
{26:16} The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer with discretion.
{26:17} Like one who grabs a dog's ears is one who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own.
{26:18} Like a madman who shoots torches,
arrows, and
death,
{26:19} is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, "Am I not joking?"
{26:20} For lack of wood a
fire goes out. Without gossip, a quarrel dies down.
{26:21} As
coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindling strife.
{26:22} The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, they go down into the innermost parts.
{26:23} Like silver
dross on an earthen vessel are the lips of a fervent one with an evil
heart.
{26:24} A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, but he harbors evil in his heart.
{26:25} When his speech is charming, don't believe him; for there are seven
abominations in his heart.
{26:26} His malice may be concealed by deception, but his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
{26:27} Whoever digs a pit shall fall into it. Whoever rolls a stone, it will come back on him.
{26:28} A lying tongue hates those it hurts; and a flattering mouth works ruin.
Proverbs Chapter 26 Back Next