Proverbs 26
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New American Standard Bible 1995English Standard Version
1Like snow in summer and like rain in harvest, So 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 sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, So a curse without cause does not alight.2Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, a curse that is causeless does not alight.
3A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, And a rod for the back of fools.3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools.
4Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Or you will also be like him.4Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself.
5Answer a fool as his folly deserves, That he not be wise in his own eyes.5Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.
6He cuts off his own feet and drinks violence Who sends a message by the hand of a fool.6Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.
7Like the legs which are useless to the lame, So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.7Like a lame man’s legs, which hang useless, is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
8Like one who binds a stone in a sling, So is he who gives honor to a fool.8Like one who binds the stone in the sling is one who gives honor to a fool.
9Like a thorn which falls into the hand of a drunkard, So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.9Like a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
10Like an archer who wounds everyone, So is he who hires a fool or who hires those who pass by.10Like an archer who wounds everyone is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard.
11Like a dog that returns to its vomit Is a fool who repeats his folly.11Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.
12Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.12Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
13The sluggard says, "There is a lion in the road! A lion is in the open square!"13The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! There is a lion in the streets!”
14As the door turns on its hinges, So does the sluggard on his bed.14As a door turns on its hinges, so does a sluggard on his bed.
15The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; He is weary of bringing it to his mouth again.15The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth.
16The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes Than seven men who can give a discreet answer.16The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly.
17Like one who takes a dog by the ears Is he who passes by and meddles with strife not belonging to him.17Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.
18Like a madman who throws Firebrands, arrows and death,18Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death
19So is the man who deceives his neighbor, And says, "Was I not joking?"19is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I am only joking!”
20For lack of wood the fire goes out, And where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down.20For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.
21Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle strife.21As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.
22The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts of the body.22The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.
23Like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross Are burning lips and a wicked heart.23Like the glaze covering an earthen vessel are fervent lips with an evil heart.
24He who hates disguises it with his lips, But he lays up deceit in his heart.24Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart;
25When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, For there are seven abominations in his heart.25when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart;
26Though his hatred covers itself with guile, His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly.26though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
27He who digs a pit will fall into it, And he who rolls a stone, it will come back on him.27Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling.
28A lying tongue hates those it crushes, And a flattering mouth works ruin.28A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin.
New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit //www.lockman.orgESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 25
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