Proverbs 26 | King James Version

King James Version

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' 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. 6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage. 7 The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools. 8 As he that bindeth 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 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. 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 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 with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears. 18 As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death, 19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport? 20 Where no 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 with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him; 25 When he speaketh 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.

New International Reader’s Version

1 It isn’t proper to honour a foolish person. That’s like having snow in summer or rain at harvest time. 2 A curse given for no reason is like a wandering bird or a flying sparrow. It doesn’t go anywhere. 3 A whip is for a horse, and a harness is for a donkey. And a beating is for the backs of foolish people. 4 Don’t answer a foolish person in keeping with their foolish acts. If you do, you yourself will be just like them. 5 Answer a foolish person in keeping with their foolish acts. If you do not, they will be wise in their own eyes. 6 Sending a message in the hand of a foolish person is like cutting off your feet or drinking poison. 7 A proverb in the mouth of a foolish person is like disabled legs that are useless. 8 Giving honour to a foolish person is like tying a stone in a slingshot. 9 A proverb in the mouth of a foolish person is like a thorn in the hand of someone who is drunk. 10 Anyone who hires a foolish person or someone who is passing by is like a person who shoots arrows at just anybody. 11 Foolish people who do the same foolish things again are like a dog that returns to where it has thrown up. 12 Do you see a person who is wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a foolish person than for them. 13 A person who doesn’t want to work says, ‘There’s a lion in the road! There’s an angry lion wandering in the streets!’ 14 A person who doesn’t want to work turns over in bed just like a door that swings to and fro. 15 A person who doesn’t want to work leaves his hand in his plate. He acts as if he is too tired to bring his hand back up to his mouth. 16 A person who doesn’t want to work is wiser in his own eyes than seven people who give careful answers. 17 Don’t be quick to get mixed up in someone else’s fight. That’s like grabbing a stray dog by its ears. 18 Suppose a crazy person shoots flaming arrows that can kill. 19 Someone who lies to their neighbour and says, ‘I was only joking!’ is just like that crazy person. 20 If you don’t have wood, your fire goes out. If you don’t talk about others, arguing dies down. 21 Coal glows, and wood burns. And a person who argues stirs up conflict. 22 The words of anyone who talks about others are like tasty bites of food. They go deep down inside you. 23 Warm words that come from an evil heart are like a shiny coating on a clay pot. 24 Enemies use their words as a mask. They hide their evil plans in their hearts. 25 Even though what they say can be charming, don’t believe them. That’s because seven things God hates fill that person’s heart. 26 Their hatred can be hidden by lies. But their evil plans will be shown to everyone. 27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it. If someone rolls a big stone, it will roll back on them. 28 A tongue that tells lies hates the people it hurts. And words that seem to praise you destroy you.