Proverbs 26
1. Honor is no more associated with fools 1 than snow with summer or rain with harvest.
2. Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, 2 an undeserved curse will not land on its intended victim.
3. Guide a horse with a whip, a donkey with a bridle, 3 and a fool with a rod to his back!
4. Don’t answer the foolish arguments of fools, 4 or you will become as foolish as they are.
5. Be sure to answer the foolish arguments of fools, 5 or they will become wise in their own estimation.
6. Trusting a fool to convey a message 6 is like cutting off one’s feet or drinking poison!
7. A proverb in the mouth of a fool 7 is as useless as a paralyzed leg.
8. Honoring a fool 8 is as foolish as tying a stone to a slingshot.
9. A proverb in the mouth of a fool 9 is like a thorny branch brandished by a drunk.
10. An employer who hires a fool or a bystander 10 is like an archer who shoots at random.
11. As a dog returns to its vomit, 11 so a fool repeats his foolishness.
12. There is more hope for fools 12 than for people who think they are wise.
13. The lazy person claims, “There’s a lion on the road! 13 Yes, I’m sure there’s a lion out there!”
14. As a door swings back and forth on its hinges, 14 so the lazy person turns over in bed.
15. Lazy people take food in their hand 15 but don’t even lift it to their mouth.
16. Lazy people consider themselves smarter 16 than seven wise counselors.
17. Interfering in someone else’s argument 17 is as foolish as yanking a dog’s ears.
18. Just as damaging 18 as a madman shooting a deadly weapon
19. is someone who lies to a friend 19 and then says, “I was only joking.”
20. Fire goes out without wood, 20 and quarrels disappear when gossip stops.
21. A quarrelsome person starts fights 21 as easily as hot embers light charcoal or fire lights wood.
22. Rumors are dainty morsels 22 that sink deep into one’s heart.
23. Smooth[a] words may hide a wicked heart, 23 just as a pretty glaze covers a clay pot.
24. People may cover their hatred with pleasant words, 24 but they’re deceiving you.
25. They pretend to be kind, but don’t believe them. 25 Their hearts are full of many evils.[b]
26. While their hatred may be concealed by trickery, 26 their wrongdoing will be exposed in public.
27. If you set a trap for others, 27 you will get caught in it yourself. 27 If you roll a boulder down on others, 27 it will crush you instead.
28. A lying tongue hates its victims, 28 and flattering words cause ruin.
Footnotes:
a. 26:23: As in Greek version; Hebrew reads Burning.
b. 26:25: Hebrew seven evils.