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The Proverbs

⭑ King James Version :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

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- Chapter 26 -

The fool and his folly

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.(a)
6
He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.(b)
7
The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.(c)
8
As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.(d)
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.(e)
11
As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.(f)
12
Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

The lazy and the lying tongue

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.(g)
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.(h)
18
As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,(i)
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.(j) (k) (l)
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.(m)
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;(n)
25
When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.(o)
26
Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.(p)
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.

Footnotes

(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

The fool and his folly

1
Like snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.
2
Like a fluttering sparrow, like a darting swallow, so the undeserved curse doesn’t come to rest.
3
A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools!
4
Don’t answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him.
5
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.
6
One who sends a message by the hand of a fool is cutting off feet and drinking violence.
7
Like the legs of the lame that hang loose, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
8
As one who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honor to a fool.
9
Like a thorn bush that goes into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
10
As an archer who wounds all, so is he who hires a fool or he who hires those who pass by.
11
As a dog that returns to his vomit, so is a fool who repeats his folly.
12
Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

The lazy and the lying tongue

13
The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! A fierce lion roams the streets!”
14
As the door turns on its hinges, so does the sluggard on his bed.
15
The sluggard buries his hand in the dish. He is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.
16
The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer with discretion.
17
Like one who grabs a dog’s ears is one who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own.
18
Like a madman who shoots torches, arrows, and death,
19
is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “Am I not joking?”
20
For lack of wood a fire goes out. Without gossip, a quarrel dies down.
21
As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindling strife.
22
The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, they go down into the innermost parts.
23
Like silver dross on an earthen vessel are the lips of a fervent one with an evil heart.
24
A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, but he harbors evil in his heart.
25
When his speech is charming, don’t believe him, for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26
His malice may be concealed by deception, but his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
27
Whoever digs a pit shall fall into it. Whoever rolls a stone, it will come back on him.
28
A lying tongue hates those it hurts; and a flattering mouth works ruin.
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