Proverbs 26
A Fool and Idiocy
(1) “As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.
(2) As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.
(3) A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back.
(4) Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
(5) Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
(6) He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.
(7) The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
(8) As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
(9) As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
(10) The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.
(11) As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly. (
12) Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
The Lazy Man
(13) The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
(14) As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
(15) The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.
(16) The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
(17) He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
(18) As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
(19) So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
(20) Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
(21) As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
(22) The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
(23) Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
(24) He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
(25) When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
(26) Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be showed before the whole congregation.
(27) Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
(28) A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.”
