Proverbs

26 1 AS ^asnow in summer, and as rain in harvest, ^bso honour is not seemly for a fool.

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

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

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

5 ^gAnswer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in ¹his own ^*conceit.

6 He ^hthat sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh ²damage.

7 The legs of the lame ³are not equal: ⁱso is a parable in the mouth of fools.

8 ⁴As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, ^jso is he that giveth honour to a fool.

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

10 ⁵The great God that formed all things ^lboth rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.

11 As ^ma dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool ⁶returneth to his folly.

12 ⁿSeest thou a man wise in his own ^*conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

13 The ^oslothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.

14 As ^pthe door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.

15 The ^qslothful hideth his hand in his bosom; ⁷it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.

16 The ^r*sluggard is wiser in his own ^*conceit than seven men that can render a reason.

17 He ^sthat passeth by, and ⁸meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.

18 As a mad man who casteth ⁹firebrands, arrows, and death,

19 ^tSo is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?

20 ¹⁰Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so ^uwhere there is no ¹¹talebearer, the strife ¹²ceaseth.

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

22 The ^wwords of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the ¹³innermost parts of the belly.

23 ^xBurning lips and a wicked heart are like a ^*potsherd covered with silver dross.

24 He that hateth ¹⁴dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;

25 ^yWhen he ¹⁵speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.

26 Whose ¹⁶hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.

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

28 A ^alying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; ^band a flattering mouth worketh ruin.