Proverbs 26
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New American Standard Bible 1995Holman Christian Standard Bible
1Like snow in summer and like rain in harvest, So honor is not fitting for a fool.1Like snow in summer and rain at harvest, honor is inappropriate 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 flitting sparrow or a fluttering swallow, an undeserved curse goes nowhere.
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 backs of fools.
4Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Or you will also be like him.4Don't answer a fool according to his foolishness or you'll 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 foolishness or he'll become wise in his own eyes.
6He cuts off his own feet and drinks violence Who sends a message by the hand of a fool.6The one who sends a message by a fool's hand 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.7A proverb in the mouth of a fool is like lame legs that hang limp.
8Like one who binds a stone in a sling, So is he who gives honor to a fool.8Giving honor to a fool is like binding a stone in a sling.
9Like a thorn which falls into the hand of a drunkard, So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.9A proverb in the mouth of a fool is like a stick with thorns, brandished by the hand of a drunkard.
10Like an archer who wounds everyone, So is he who hires a fool or who hires those who pass by.10The one who hires a fool or who hires those passing by is like an archer who wounds everyone.
11Like a dog that returns to its vomit Is a fool who repeats his folly.11As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his foolishness.
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 slacker says, "There's a lion in the road-- a lion in the public square!"
14As the door turns on its hinges, So does the sluggard on his bed.14A door turns on its hinges, and a slacker, on his bed.
15The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; He is weary of bringing it to his mouth again.15The slacker buries his hand in the bowl; he is too weary to bring it to his mouth.
16The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes Than seven men who can give a discreet answer.16In his own eyes, a slacker is wiser 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.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 a madman who throws Firebrands, arrows and death,18Like a madman who throws flaming darts and deadly arrows,
19So is the man who deceives his neighbor, And says, "Was I not joking?"19so is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, "I was only joking!"
20For lack of wood the fire goes out, And where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down.20Without wood, fire goes out; without a gossip, conflict dies down.
21Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle strife.21As charcoal for embers and wood for 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.22A gossip's words are like choice food that goes down to one's innermost being.
23Like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross Are burning lips and a wicked heart.23Smooth lips with an evil heart are like glaze on an earthen vessel.
24He who hates disguises it with his lips, But he lays up deceit in his heart.24A hateful person disguises himself with his speech and harbors deceit within.
25When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, For there are seven abominations in his heart.25When he speaks graciously, don't believe him, 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 is concealed by deception, his evil will be revealed in the assembly.
27He who digs a pit will fall into it, And he who rolls a stone, it will come back on him.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 those it crushes, And a flattering mouth works ruin.28A lying tongue hates those it crushes, and a flattering mouth causes 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.orgHolman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.
Proverbs 25
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