Proverbs 26
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1As snow in summer and rain in harvest, So honor is not fitting for a fool.1Like snow in summer and rain at harvest, honor does not befit a fool.
2Like a flitting sparrow, like a flying swallow, So a curse without cause shall not alight.2Like a fluttering sparrow or darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest.
3A whip for the horse, A bridle for the donkey, And a rod for the fool’s back.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, Lest you also be like him.4Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be like him.
5Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes.5Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he become wise in his own eyes.
6He who sends a message by the hand of a fool Cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.6Like cutting off one’s own feet or drinking violence is the sending of a message by the hand of a fool.
7Like the legs of the lame that hang limp Is a proverb in the mouth of fools.7Like lame legs hanging limp is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
8Like one who binds a stone in a sling Is he who gives honor to a fool.8Like binding a stone into a sling is the giving of honor to a fool.
9Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard Is a proverb in the mouth of fools.9Like a thorn that falls into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
10The great God who formed everything Gives the fool his hire and the transgressor his wages.10Like an archer who wounds at random is he who hires a fool or passerby.
11As a dog returns to his own vomit, So a fool repeats his folly.11As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool 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 lazy man says, “There is a lion in the road! A fierce lion is in the streets!”13The slacker says, “A lion is in the road! A fierce lion roams the public square!”
14As a door turns on its hinges, So does the lazy man on his bed.14As a door turns on its hinges, so the slacker turns on his bed.
15The lazy man buries his hand in the bowl; It wearies him to bring it back to his mouth.15The slacker buries his hand in the dish; it wearies him to bring it back to his mouth.
16The lazy man is wiser in his own eyes Than seven men who can answer sensibly.16The slacker is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer discreetly.
17He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own Is like one who takes a dog by the ears.17Like one who grabs a dog by the ears is a passerby who meddles in a quarrel not his own.
18Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death,18Like a madman shooting firebrands and deadly arrows,
19Is the man who deceives his neighbor, And says, “I was only joking!”19so is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I was only joking!”
20Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.20Without wood, a fire goes out; without gossip, a conflict ceases.
21As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle strife.21Like charcoal for embers and wood for fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.
22The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, And they go down into the inmost body.22The words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being.
23Fervent lips with a wicked heart Are like earthenware covered with silver dross.23Like glaze covering an earthen vessel are burning lips and a wicked heart.
24He who hates, disguises it with his lips, And lays up deceit within himself;24A hateful man disguises himself with his speech, but he lays up deceit in his heart.
25When he speaks kindly, do not believe him, For there are seven abominations in his heart;25When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, for seven abominations fill his heart.
26Though his hatred is covered by deceit, His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly.26Though his hatred is concealed by deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
27Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, And he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.27He who digs a pit will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.
28A lying tongue hates those who are crushed by it, And a flattering mouth works ruin.28A lying tongue hates those it crushes, and a flattering mouth causes ruin.
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.The Berean Bible (Berean Study Bible (BSB) © 2016, 2018 by Bible Hub and Berean.Bible. Used by Permission. All rights Reserved.
Proverbs 25
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