Proverbs of Solomon, chapter 26

As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool. As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come. A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back.

Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.

He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage. The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools. As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool. As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools. The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors. As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly. Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him. The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets. As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed. The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth. The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason. He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.

As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death, So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?

Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife. The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.

He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him; When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart. Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation. Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him. A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.

a) 26.5 conceit: Heb. eyes

b) 26.6 damage: or, violence

c) 26.7 are…: Heb. are lifted up

d) 26.8 bindeth…: or, putteth a precious stone in an heap of stones

e) 26.10 The great…: or, A great man grieveth all, and he hireth the fool, he hireth also transgressors

f) 26.11 returneth to his folly: Heb. iterateth his folly

g) 26.15 it grieveth…: or, he is weary

h) 26.17 meddleth: or, is enraged

i) 26.18 firebrands: Heb. flames, or, sparks

j) 26.20 Where no…: Heb. Without wood

k) 26.20 talebearer: or, whisperer

l) 26.20 ceaseth: Heb. is silent

m) 26.22 innermost…: Heb. chambers

n) 26.24 dissembleth: or, is known

o) 26.25 speaketh…: Heb. maketh his voice gracious

p) 26.26 by…: or, in secret