Proverbs 26
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New International VersionHolman Christian Standard Bible
1Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, honor is not fitting for a fool.1Like snow in summer and rain at harvest, honor is inappropriate for a fool.
2Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest.2Like a flitting sparrow or a fluttering swallow, an undeserved curse goes nowhere.
3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs 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 yourself will be just like him.4Don't answer a fool according to his foolishness or you'll be like him yourself.
5Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.5Answer a fool according to his foolishness or he'll become wise in his own eyes.
6Sending a message by the hands of a fool is like cutting off one's feet or drinking poison.6The one who sends a message by a fool's hand cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.
7Like the useless legs of one who is lame is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.7A proverb in the mouth of a fool is like lame legs that hang limp.
8Like tying a stone in a sling is the giving of honor to a fool.8Giving honor to a fool is like binding a stone in a sling.
9Like a thornbush in a drunkard's hand is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.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 at random is one who hires a fool or any passer-by.10The one who hires a fool or who hires those passing by is like an archer who wounds everyone.
11As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly.11As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his foolishness.
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 who is 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 slacker says, "There's a lion in the road-- a lion in the public square!"
14As a door turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed.14A door turns on its hinges, and a slacker, on his bed.
15A sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.15The slacker buries his hand in the bowl; he is too weary to bring it to his mouth.
16A sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven people who answer discreetly.16In his own eyes, a slacker is wiser than seven men who can answer sensibly.
17Like one who grabs a stray dog by the ears is someone who rushes into a quarrel not their own.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 maniac shooting flaming arrows of death18Like a madman who throws flaming darts and deadly arrows,
19is one who deceives their neighbor and says, "I was only joking!"19so is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, "I was only joking!"
20Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down.20Without wood, fire goes out; without a gossip, conflict dies down.
21As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.21As charcoal for embers and wood for fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.
22The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.22A gossip's words are like choice food that goes down to one's innermost being.
23Like a coating of silver dross on earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart.23Smooth lips with an evil heart are like glaze on an earthen vessel.
24Enemies disguise themselves with their lips, but in their hearts they harbor deceit.24A hateful person disguises himself with his speech and harbors deceit within.
25Though their speech is charming, do not believe them, for seven abominations fill their hearts.25When he speaks graciously, don't believe him, for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26Their malice may be concealed by deception, but their wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.26Though his hatred is concealed by deception, his evil will be revealed 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, and whoever 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 it crushes, and a flattering mouth causes ruin.
New International Version (NIV)

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Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.
Proverbs 25
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