Proverbs
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. conceit: Heb. eyesHe that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage. damage: or, violenceThe legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools. are...: Heb. are lifted upAs he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool. bindeth...: or, putteth a precious stone in an heap of stonesAs 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. The great...: or, A great man grieveth all, and he hireth the fool, he hireth also transgressorsAs a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly. returneth to his folly: Heb. iterateth his follySeest 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. it grieveth...: or, he is wearyThe 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. meddleth: or, is enragedAs a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death, firebrands: Heb. flames, or, sparksSo 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. Where no...: Heb. Without wood talebearer: or, whisperer ceaseth: Heb. is silentAs 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. innermost...: Heb. chambersBurning 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; dissembleth: or, is knownWhen he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart. speaketh...: Heb. maketh his voice graciousWhose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation. by...: or, in secretWhoso 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.