Proverbs, 26

¹ Like snow in summer and rain at harvesttime, Honor is not fitting for someone stupid.

² Just as a bird has reason to flee and a swallow to fly, So a curse does not come without a real reason.^*1

³ A whip is for the horse, a bridle is for the donkey, And the rod is for the back of stupid people.

⁴ Do not answer the stupid one according to his foolishness, So that you do not put yourself on his level.^*1

⁵ Answer the stupid one according to his foolishness, So that he does not think he is wise.

⁶ Like someone who cripples his own feet and harms himself^*1 Is the one who entrusts matters to someone stupid.

⁷ Like the limp^*1 legs of the lame, So is a proverb in the mouth of stupid people.

⁸ Like tying a stone to a sling, So is giving glory to someone stupid.

⁹ Like a thorn plant that comes into the hand of a drunkard, So is a proverb in the mouth of stupid people.

¹⁰ Like an archer who wounds at random,^*1 So is the one who hires the stupid one or those passing by.

¹¹ Like a dog that returns to its vomit, The stupid one repeats his foolishness.

¹² Have you seen a man who thinks he is wise? There is more hope for someone stupid than for him.

¹³ The lazy one says: “There is a young lion in the road, A lion in the public square!”

¹⁴ A door keeps turning on its hinges,^*1 And the lazy one on his bed.

¹⁵ The lazy one buries his hand in the banquet bowl, But he is too tired to bring it back to his mouth.

¹⁶ The lazy one thinks he is wiser Than seven people who give a sensible reply.

¹⁷ Like someone grabbing hold of a dog’s ears Is the one passing by who becomes furious about^*1 a quarrel that is not his.

¹⁸ Like a madman who shoots fiery missiles, arrows, and death^*1

¹⁹ Is the man who plays a trick on his neighbor and says, “I was only joking!”

²⁰ Where there is no wood, the fire goes out, And where there is no slanderer, quarreling ceases.

²¹ As charcoal for the embers and wood for the fire, So a contentious man kindles a quarrel.

²² The words of a slanderer are like tasty morsels;^*1 They are gulped right down into the stomach.

²³ Like a silver glazing over a piece of earthenware Are affectionate words from^*1 an evil heart.

²⁴ The one who hates others disguises it with his lips, But inside he harbors deceit.

²⁵ Although he speaks graciously, do not trust him, For there are seven detestable things in his heart.^*1

²⁶ Though his hatred is concealed by deceit, His evil will be exposed in the congregation.

²⁷ The one who digs a pit will fall into it, And whoever rolls away a stone—it will come back on him.

²⁸ A lying tongue hates those crushed by it, And a flattering mouth causes ruin.