Proverbs 26:7-17

7 The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
8 As he that bindeth[a]* 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[b] 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.[c]
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[d] 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[e] with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.

Footnotes 5

  • [a]. bindeth...: or, putteth a precious stone in an heap of stones
  • [b]. The great...: or, A great man grieveth all, and he hireth the fool, he hireth also transgressors
  • [c]. returneth to his folly: Heb. iterateth his folly
  • [d]. it grieveth...: or, he is weary
  • [e]. meddleth: or, is enraged
The King James Version is in the public domain.