Proverbs 26  Amplified Bible, Classic Edition

26 Like snow in summer and like rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a [self-confident] fool.^(A)

² Like the sparrow in her wandering, like the swallow in her flying, so the causeless curse does not alight.^(B)

³ A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a [straight, slender] rod for the backs of [self-confident] fools.

⁴ Answer not a [self-confident] fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him.

⁵ Answer a [self-confident] fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes and conceit.^(C)

⁶ He who sends a message by the hand of a ^[a]fool cuts off the feet [of satisfactory delivery] and drinks the damage.^(D)

⁷ Like the legs of a lame man which hang loose, so is a parable in the mouth of a fool.

⁸ Like he who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honor to a [self-confident] fool.

⁹ Like a thorn that goes [without being felt] into the hand of a drunken man, so is a proverb in the mouth of a [self-confident] fool.

¹⁰ [But] like an archer who wounds all, so is he who hires a fool or chance passers-by.

¹¹ As a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool returns to his folly.

¹² Do you see a man wise in his own eyes and conceit? There is more hope for a [self-confident] fool than for him.^(E)

¹³ The sluggard says, There is a lion in the way! A lion is in the streets!^(F)

¹⁴ As the door turns on its hinges, so does the lazy man [move not from his place] upon his bed.

¹⁵ The slothful and self-indulgent buries his hand in his bosom; it distresses and wearies him to bring it again to his mouth.^(G)

¹⁶ The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes and conceit than seven men who can render a reason and answer discreetly.

¹⁷ He who, passing by, stops to meddle with strife that is none of his business is like one who takes a dog by the ears.

¹⁸ Like a madman who casts firebrands, arrows, and death,

¹⁹ So is the man who deceives his neighbor and then says, Was I not joking?^(H)

²⁰ For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, contention ceases.

²¹ As coals are to hot embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man to inflame strife.^(I)

²² The words of a whisperer or slanderer are like dainty morsels or words of sport [to some, but to others are like deadly wounds]; and they go down into the innermost parts of the body [or of the victim’s nature].

²³ Burning lips [uttering insincere words of love] and a wicked heart are like an earthen vessel covered with the scum thrown off from molten silver [making it appear to be solid silver].

²⁴ He who hates pretends with his lips, but stores up deceit within himself.

²⁵ When he speaks kindly, do not trust him, for seven abominations are in his heart.

²⁶ Though his hatred covers itself with guile, his wickedness shall be shown openly before the assembly.

²⁷ Whoever digs a pit [for another man’s feet] shall fall into it himself, and he who rolls a stone [up a height to do mischief], it will return upon him.^(J)

²⁸ A lying tongue hates those it wounds and crushes, and a flattering mouth works ruin.