Proverbs 26

Similitudes, Instructions

1Like snow in summer and like rain in harvest,
So honor is not fitting for a [shortsighted] fool. 2Like the sparrow in her wandering, like the swallow in her flying,
So the curse without cause does not come and alight [on the undeserving]. 3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,
And a rod for the backs of fools [who refuse to learn]. 4Do not answer [nor pretend to agree with the frivolous comments of] a [closed-minded] fool according to his folly,
Otherwise you, even you, will be like him. 5Answer [and correct the erroneous concepts of] a fool according to his folly,
Otherwise he will be wise in his own eyes [if he thinks you agree with him]. 6He who sends a message by the hand of a fool
Cuts off his own feet (sabotages himself) and drinks the violence [it brings on himself as a consequence]. 7Like the legs which are useless to the lame,
So is a proverb in the mouth of a fool [who cannot learn from its wisdom]. 8Like one who [absurdly] binds a stone in a sling [making it impossible to throw],
So is he who [absurdly] gives honor to a fool. 9Like a thorn that goes [without being felt] into the hand of a drunken man,
So is a proverb in the mouth of a fool [who remains unaffected by its wisdom]. 10Like a [careless] archer who [shoots arrows wildly and] wounds everyone,
So is he who hires a fool or those who [by chance just] pass by. 11Like a dog that returns to his vomit
Is a fool who repeats his foolishness. 12Do you see a man [who is unteachable and] wise in his own eyes and full of self-conceit?
There is more hope for a fool than for him. 13The lazy person [who is self-indulgent and relies on lame excuses] says, “There is a lion in the road!
A lion is in the open square [and if I go outside to work I will be killed]!” 14As the door turns on its hinges,
So does the lazy person on his bed [never getting out of it]. 15The lazy person buries his hand in the dish [losing opportunity after opportunity];
It wearies him to bring it back to his mouth. 16The lazy person is wiser in his own eyes
Than seven [sensible] men who can give a discreet answer. 17Like one who grabs a dog by the ears [and is likely to be bitten]
Is he who, passing by, stops to meddle with a dispute that is none of his business. 18Like a madman who throws
Firebrands, arrows, and death, 19So is the man who deceives his neighbor (acquaintance, friend)
And then says, “Was I not joking?” 20For lack of wood the fire goes out,
And where there is no whisperer [who gossips], contention quiets down. 21Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire,
So is a contentious man to kindle strife. 22The words of a whisperer (gossip) are like dainty morsels [to be greedily eaten];
They go down into the innermost chambers of the body [to be remembered and mused upon]. 23Like a [common] clay vessel covered with the silver dross [making it appear silver when it has no real value]
Are burning lips [murmuring manipulative words] and a wicked heart. 24He who hates, disguises it with his lips,
But he stores up deceit in his heart. 25When he speaks graciously and kindly [to conceal his malice], do not trust him,
For seven abominations are in his heart. 26Though his hatred covers itself with guile and deceit,
His malevolence will be revealed openly before the assembly. 27Whoever digs a pit [for another man’s feet] will fall into it,
And he who rolls a stone [up a hill to do mischief], it will come back on him. 28A lying tongue hates those it wounds and crushes,
And a flattering mouth works ruin.