Proverbs 26
JPS Tanakh (Jewish Publication Society, 1917)
Berean Standard Bible
1As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.
1Like snow in summer and rain at harvest, honor does not befit a fool.
2As the wandering sparrow, as the flying swallow, so the curse that is causeless shall come home.
2Like a fluttering sparrow or darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest.
3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, 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!
4Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto 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 that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off his own feet, and drinketh damage.
6Like cutting off one’s own feet or drinking violence is the sending of a message by the hand of a fool.
7The legs hang limp from the lame; so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
7Like lame legs hanging limp is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
8As a small stone in a heap of stones, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
8Like binding a stone into a sling is the giving of honor to a fool.
9As a thorn that cometh into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable 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.
10A master performeth all things; but he that stoppeth a fool is as one that stoppeth a flood.
10Like an archer who wounds at random is he who hires a fool or passerby.
11As a dog that returneth to his vomit, so is a fool that repeateth his folly.
11As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.
12Seest thou a man wise in his own eyes? there is more hope of a fool than of 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 saith: 'There is a lion in the way; yea, a lion is in the streets.'
13The slacker says, “A lion is in the road! A fierce lion roams the public square!”
14The door is turning upon its hinges, and the sluggard is still upon his bed.
14As a door turns on its hinges, so the slacker turns on his bed.
15The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish; it wearieth 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 sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men that give wise answer.
16The slacker is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer discreetly.
17He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife not his own, is like one that taketh 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.
18As a madman who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death;
18Like a madman shooting firebrands and deadly arrows,
19So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith: 'Am not I in sport?'
19so is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I was only joking!”
20Where no wood is, the fire goeth out; and where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth.
20Without wood, a fire goes out; without gossip, a conflict ceases.
21As coals are 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 whisperer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the body.
22The words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being.
23Burning lips and a wicked heart are like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.
23Like glaze covering an earthen vessel are burning lips and a wicked heart.
24He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, but he layeth up deceit within him.
24A hateful man disguises himself with his speech, but he lays up deceit in his heart.
25When he speaketh fair, believe him not; 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 be concealed with deceit, his wickedness shall be revealed before the congregation.
26Though his hatred is concealed by deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
27Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein; and he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon 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 hateth those that are crushed by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
28A lying tongue hates those it crushes, and a flattering mouth causes ruin.
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