Proverbs 26:4-28

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.

Proverbs 26:4-28 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 KINGS 13

In this chapter is an account of a man of God being sent to exclaim against Jeroboam's altar, and threaten its destruction, of which he gave a sign, which was accomplished, and with it the withering of the king's hand, which was healed upon the prophet's prayer for him, 1Ki 13:1-7, who would have entertained him at his house, but he refused the offer, and departed, 1Ki 13:8-10, but an old prophet in Bethel hearing of him, rode after him, and fetched him back to eat bread with him, through a lie he told him, 1Ki 13:11-19 upon which the word came to the old prophet, threatening the man of God with death for disobeying his command, and which was accordingly executed by a lion that met him in the way, and slew him, 1Ki 13:20-24, of which the old prophet being informed, went and took up his carcass, and buried it in his own sepulchre, where he charged his sons to bury him also when dead, believing that all the man of God had said would be fulfilled, 1Ki 13:25-30 and the chapter is closed with observing the continuance of Jeroboam in his idolatry, 1Ki 13:33,34.

Footnotes

• [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