Proverbs 26
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1Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, honor is not fitting for a fool.1Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.
2Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest.2Like a fluttering bird or like a flying swallow, so a curse without cause does not come to rest.
3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools!3A whip for the horse and a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools!
4Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him.4Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you yourself also be like him.
5Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.5Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own estimation.
6Sending a message by the hands of a fool is like cutting off one's feet or drinking poison.6Like cutting off the feet or drinking violence, so is sending a message by the hand of a fool.
7Like the useless legs of one who is lame is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.7Like legs that hang limp from the lame, so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
8Like tying a stone in a sling is the giving of honor to a fool.8Like tying a stone in a sling, so is giving honor to a fool.
9Like a thornbush in a drunkard's hand is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.9Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard, so is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
10Like an archer who wounds at random is one who hires a fool or any passer-by.10Like an archer who wounds at random, so is the one who hires a fool or hires any passer-by.
11As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly.11Like a dog that returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.
12Do you see a person wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them.12Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
13A sluggard says, "There's a lion in the road, a fierce lion roaming the streets!"13The sluggard says, "There is a lion in the road! A lion in the streets!"
14As a door turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed.14Like a door that turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed.
15A sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.15The sluggard plunges his hand in the dish; he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.
16A sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven people who answer discreetly.16The sluggard is wiser in his own estimation than seven people who respond with good sense.
17Like one who grabs a stray dog by the ears is someone who rushes into a quarrel not their own.17Like one who grabs a wild dog by the ears, so is the person passing by who becomes furious over a quarrel not his own.
18Like a maniac shooting flaming arrows of death18Like a madman who shoots firebrands and deadly arrows,
19is one who deceives their neighbor and says, "I was only joking!"19so is a person who deceives his neighbor, and says, "Was I not only joking?"
20Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down.20Where there is no wood, a fire goes out, and where there is no gossip, contention ceases.
21As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.21Like charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, so is a contentious person to kindle strife.
22The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.22The words of a gossip are like delicious morsels; they go down into a person's innermost being.
23Like a coating of silver dross on earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart.23Like a coating of glaze over earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart.
24Enemies disguise themselves with their lips, but in their hearts they harbor deceit.24The one who hates others disguises it with his lips, but he stores up deceit within him.
25Though their speech is charming, do not believe them, for seven abominations fill their hearts.25When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, for there are seven abominations within him.
26Their malice may be concealed by deception, but their wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.26Though his hatred may be concealed by deceit, his evil will be uncovered in the assembly.
27Whoever digs a pit will fall into it; if someone rolls a stone, it will roll back on them.27The one who digs a pit will fall into it; the one who rolls a stone--it will come back on him.
28A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin.28A lying tongue hates those crushed by it, and a flattering mouth works ruin.
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Proverbs 25
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