Proverbs 26

Listen to Proverbs 26
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.
8 As he that bindeth[c]* a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
9 As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
10 The great[d] God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.
11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.[e]
12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
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[f] him to bring it again to his mouth.
16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
17 He that passeth by, and meddleth[g] with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
18 As a mad man who casteth firebrands,[h] arrows, and death,
19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
20 Where no[i] wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
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.
23 Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
24 He that hateth dissembleth[j] with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
25 When he speaketh[k] fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.
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 11

  • [a]. conceit: Heb. eyes
  • [b]. damage: or, violence
  • [c]. bindeth...: or, putteth a precious stone in an heap of stones
  • [d]. The great...: or, A great man grieveth all, and he hireth the fool, he hireth also transgressors
  • [e]. returneth to his folly: Heb. iterateth his folly
  • [f]. it grieveth...: or, he is weary
  • [g]. meddleth: or, is enraged
  • [h]. firebrands: Heb. flames, or, sparks
  • [i]. Where no...: Heb. Without wood
  • [j]. dissembleth: or, is known
  • [k]. speaketh...: Heb. maketh his voice gracious

Proverbs 26 Commentaries

The King James Version is in the public domain.