Proverbs 26
1AS dew at the ingathering of fruit and as rain during harvest: so is honour for a fool.
2As birds and ostriches fly away; so a vain curse will not light on anyone.
3As a whip for a horse and a goad for an ass, so is a scourge for a sinful nation.
4Answer not a fool conformably to his folly, lest thou become like him.
5But answer a fool according to his folly, that he may not think himself wise.
6He who sendeth a message by a foolish messenger, by his own fault procureth disgrace.
7As well remove walking from the legs, as mistakes from the mouth of fools.
8He who bindeth a stone in a sling is like him who giveth honour to a fool.
9Thorns stick in the hands of a drunken man; and slavery, in the hand of fools.
10All the flesh of fools is afflicted: for their lunacy cometh to destruction.
11As a dog becometh odious when he returneth to his vomit; so is a fool for his wickedness, when he returneth to his sin.
There is a shame which leadeth to sin: and a shame which procureth glory and honour.
12I have seen a man who thought himself wise: but there was more hope for a fool than for him.
13A slothful man sent on a journey saith, There is a lion in the way and murderers in the streets.
14As a door turneth on its hinges, so doth a slothful man on his bed.
15A slothful man, having hid his hand in his bosom, cannot bring it out to his mouth.
16A slothful man thinketh himself wiser than he who in plenty carrieth a message.
17He who meddleth with another’s strife, is like one who graspeth a dog by the tail.
18As they who undertake to cure, throw out words for men (and he who falleth in with the proposal will be first supplanted):
19so all who ensnare their friends, when they are found out, say, I did it in sport.
20By much fuel a fire is nourished: but where there is no agitator of quarrels, contention ceaseth.
21A hearth is for coals and fuel for fire: and a contentious man for the bustle of strife.
22The words of the crafty are soft: but they pierce the inmost recesses of the soul.
23Silver given with deceit, should be accounted as a potsherd. Smooth lips disguise a wicked heart.
24A weeping enemy assenteth to everything with his lips: but in his heart he contriveth deceit.
25Though an enemy intreat thee with a loud voice, believe him not: for in his heart there is seven-fold wickedness.
26He who concealeth enmity practiseth deceit; but being found out, he discloseth his sins in public assemblies.
27May he who diggeth a pit for his neighbour fall into it; and he who rolleth a stone, roll it on himself.
28A lying tongue hateth truth; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.