Proverbs 26

1. As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honor is not becoming for a fool.

2. As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse without cause shall not come.

3. A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the fool’s back.

4. Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him.

5. Answer a fool according to his folly, so that he may not be wise in his own conceit.

6. He who sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off the feet and drinks down damage.

7. As the legs of the lame hang limp, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

8. As he who ties a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honor to a fool.

9. As a thorn goes up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

10. The great God who formed all things both rewards the fool and rewards transgressors.

11. As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool returns to his own folly.

12. Do you see a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

13. The lazy one says, “There is a lion in the way; yea a lion is in the streets.”

14. As the door turns upon its hinges, so does the lazy man turn upon his bed.

15. The lazy man hides his hand in his bosom; it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth.

16. The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can give a reason.

17. He who passes by and meddles with strife not his own is like one who takes a dog by the ears,

18. Or like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death.

19. So is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “Am I not only joking?”

20. Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; and where there is no talebearer, the quarreling ceases.

21. As charcoal to burning embers, and wood is 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 broken piece of pottery with silver dross.

24. He who hates and disguises it with his lips stores up deceit within himself.

25. When he makes his voice gracious, do not believe him, for seven hateful things are in his heart.

26. He whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be revealed before the congregation.

27. Whoever digs a pit shall fall into it; and he who rolls a stone, it shall turn back upon him.

28. A lying tongue hates those afflicted by it, and a flattering mouth works ruin.