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Proverbs 26

Similitudes and Instructions

1Like snow in summer and like rain in harvest,

So honor is not fitting for a fool.

2Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying,

So a curse without cause does not come to rest.

3A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,

And a rod for the back of fools.

4Do not answer a fool according to his foolishness,

Or you will also be like him.

5Answer a fool as his foolishness deserves,

So that he will not be wise in his own eyes.

6One who sends a message by the hand of a fool

Chops off his own feet and drinks violence.

7Like useless legs to one who cannot walk,

So is a proverb in the mouths of fools.

8Like one who binds a stone in a sling,

So is one who gives honor to a fool.

9Like a thorn that sticks in the hand of a heavy drinker,

So is a proverb in the mouths of fools.

10Like an archer who wounds everyone,

So is one who hires a fool or hires those who pass by.

11Like a dog that returns to its vomit,

So is a fool who repeats his foolishness.

12Do you see a person wise in his own eyes?

There is more hope for a fool than for him.

13A lazy one says, “There is a lion on the road!

A lion is in the public square!”

14As the door turns on its hinges,

So does a lazy one on his bed.

15A lazy one buries his hand in the dish;

He is weary of bringing it to his mouth again.

16A lazy one is wiser in his own eyes

Than seven people who can give a discreet answer.

17Like one who takes a dog by the ears,

So is one who passes by and meddles with strife not belonging to him.

18Like a maniac who shoots

Flaming arrows, arrows, and death,

19So is a person who deceives his neighbor,

And says, “Was I not joking?”

20For lack of wood the fire goes out,

And where there is no gossiper, quarreling quiets down.

21Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire,

So is a contentious person to kindle strife.

22The words of a gossiper are like dainty morsels,

And they go down into the innermost parts of the body.

23Like an earthenware vessel overlaid with silver impurities

Are burning lips and a wicked heart.

24One who hates disguises it with his lips,

But he harbors deceit in his heart.

25When he speaks graciously, do not believe him,

Because there are seven abominations in his heart.

26Though his hatred covers itself with deception,

His wickedness will be revealed in the assembly.

27One who digs a pit will fall into it,

And one who rolls a stone, it will come back on him.

28A lying tongue hates those it crushes,

And a flattering mouth works ruin.

Proverbs

Chapter 26

26 of 31