Proverbs 26

²As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.

³A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.

⁴Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.

⁵Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit. {conceit: Heb. eyes}

⁶He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, {and} drinketh damage. {damage: or, violence}

⁷The legs of the lame are not equal: so {is} a parable in the mouth of fools. {are...: Heb. are lifted up}

⁸As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so {is} he that giveth honour to a fool. {bindeth...: or, putteth a precious stone in an heap of stones}

⁹{As} a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so {is} a parable in the mouth of fools.

¹⁰The great {God} that formed all {things} both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors. {The great...: or, A great man grieveth all, and he hireth the fool, he hireth also transgressors}

¹¹As a dog returneth to his vomit, {so} a fool returneth to his folly. {returneth to his folly: Heb. iterateth his folly}

¹²Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? {there is} more hope of a fool than of him.

¹³The slothful {man} saith, {There is} a lion in the way; a lion {is} in the streets.

¹⁴{As} the door turneth upon his hinges, so {doth} the slothful upon his bed.

¹⁵The slothful hideth his hand in {his} bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth. {it grieveth...: or, he is weary}

¹⁶The sluggard {is} wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.

¹⁷He that passeth by, {and} meddleth with strife {belonging} not to him, {is like} one that taketh a dog by the ears. {meddleth: or, is enraged}

¹⁸As a mad {man} who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death, {firebrands: Heb. flames, or, sparks}

¹⁹So {is} the man {that} deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?

²⁰Where no wood is, {there} the fire goeth out: so where {there is} no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. {Where no...: Heb. Without wood} {talebearer: or, whisperer} {ceaseth: Heb. is silent}

²¹{As} coals {are} to burning coals, and wood to fire; so {is} a contentious man to kindle strife.

²²The words of a talebearer {are} as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. {innermost...: Heb. chambers}

²³Burning lips and a wicked heart {are like} a potsherd covered with silver dross.

²⁴He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him; {dissembleth: or, is known}

²⁵When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for {there are} seven abominations in his heart. {speaketh...: Heb. maketh his voice gracious}

²⁶{Whose} hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the {whole} congregation. {by...: or, in secret}

²⁷Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.

²⁸A lying tongue hateth {those that are} afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.