Proverbs 26
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1Like snowfall in summer or rain at harvest time, so honor is inappropriate for a fool.1Like snow in summer and rain at harvest, honor is inappropriate for a fool.
2Like a fluttering sparrow or a swallow in flight, a curse without cause will not alight.2Like a flitting sparrow or a fluttering swallow, an undeserved curse goes nowhere.
3A whip is for the horses, a bridle is for the donkey, a rod is for the back of fools.3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools.
4Don't answer a fool according to his foolishness, or you will be just like him.4Don't answer a fool according to his foolishness or you'll be like him yourself.
5Answer a fool according to his foolishness, or he will think himself to be wise.5Answer a fool according to his foolishness or he'll become wise in his own eyes.
6Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.6The one who sends a message by a fool's hand cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.
7Useless legs to the lame— that's what a proverb quoted by a fool is.7A proverb in the mouth of a fool is like lame legs that hang limp.
8Tying a stone to a sling— that's what giving honor to a fool is.8Giving honor to a fool is like binding a stone in a sling.
9A thorn in the hand of a drunkard— that's what a proverb quoted by a fool is.9A proverb in the mouth of a fool is like a stick with thorns, brandished by the hand of a drunkard.
10An archer who shoots at anyone— is like someone who hires a fool or anyone who passes by.10The one who hires a fool or who hires those passing by is like an archer who wounds everyone.
11A dog that returns to its vomit is like a fool who reverts to his folly.11As a dog returns to its vomit, so also a fool repeats his foolishness.
12Do you see a man who is wise in his own opinion? There's more hope for a fool than for him.12Do you see a person who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
13The lazy person claims, "There is a lion in the road! There's a lion in the streets!"13The slacker says, "There's a lion in the road--a lion in the public square!"
14The door turns on its hinges— as does the lazy person on his bed.14A door turns on its hinges, and a slacker, on his bed.
15The lazy person buries his hand in the dish, but he's too tired to bring it to his mouth again.15The slacker buries his hand in the bowl; he is too weary to bring it to his mouth!
16The lazy person is wiser in his own opinion than seven men who can give an appropriate response.16In his own eyes, a slacker is wiser than seven who can answer sensibly.
17Picking up a dog by the ears— that's what someone is like who meddles in another's fight.17A person who is passing by and meddles in a quarrel that's not his is like one who grabs a dog by the ears.
18Like the maniac who shoots fiery darts and deadly arrows—18Like a madman who throws flaming darts and deadly arrows,
19that's what someone is like who lies to his neighbor and then says, "I was joking, wasn't I?"19so is the person who deceives his neighbor and says, "I was only joking!"
20Without wood, the fire goes out. Without a gossip, contention stops.20Without wood, fire goes out; without a gossip, conflict dies down.
21Charcoal is to hot coals as wood is to fire; so also a quarrelsome man fuels strife.21As charcoal for embers and wood for fire, so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.
22The words of a gossip are like delicate morsels; they sink down deep within.22A gossip's words are like choice food that goes down to one's innermost being.
23A clay vessel plated with a thin veneer of silver— that's what smooth lips with a wicked heart are.23Smooth lips with an evil heart are like glaze on an earthen vessel.
24Someone who hates hides behind his words, harboring deceit within himself.24A hateful person disguises himself with his speech and harbors deceit within.
25Though he speaks graciously, don't believe him, for there are seven detestable things in his heart.25When he speaks graciously, don't believe him, for there are seven detestable things in his heart.
26Though malice disguises itself with deception, its evil will be exposed publicly.26Though his hatred is concealed by deception, his evil will be revealed in the assembly.
27Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and the stone will come back on whoever starts it rolling.27The one who digs a pit will fall into it, and whoever rolls a stone--it will come back on him.
28A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth causes ruin.28A lying tongue hates those it crushes, and a flattering mouth causes ruin.
The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY.
The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.
Proverbs 25
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