Proverbs 26
JPS Tanakh (Jewish Publication Society, 1917)
World English Bible
1As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.
1Like snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.
2As the wandering sparrow, as the flying swallow, so the curse that is causeless shall come home.
2Like a fluttering sparrow, like a darting swallow, so the undeserved curse doesn’t come to rest.
3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the back of fools.
3A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools!
4Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
4Don’t answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also 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 be wise in his own eyes.
6He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off his own feet, and drinketh damage.
6One who sends a message by the hand of a fool is cutting off feet and drinking violence.
7The legs hang limp from the lame; so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
7Like the legs of the lame that hang loose, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
8As a small stone in a heap of stones, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
8As one who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives 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 bush that goes into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
10A master performeth all things; but he that stoppeth a fool is as one that stoppeth a flood.
10As an archer who wounds all, so is he who hires a fool or he who hires those who pass by.
11As a dog that returneth to his vomit, so is a fool that repeateth his folly.
11As a dog that returns to his vomit, so is a fool who 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 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 sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! A fierce lion roams the streets!”
14The door is turning upon its hinges, and the sluggard is still upon his bed.
14As the door turns on its hinges, so does the sluggard on his bed.
15The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish; it wearieth him to bring it back to his mouth.
15The sluggard buries his hand in the dish. He is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.
16The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men that give wise answer.
16The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer with discretion.
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’s ears is one who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own.
18As a madman who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death;
18Like a madman who shoots torches, arrows, and death,
19So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith: 'Am not I in sport?'
19is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “Am I not joking?”
20Where no wood is, the fire goeth out; and where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth.
20For lack of wood a fire goes out. Without gossip, a quarrel dies down.
21As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
21As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to 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 whisperer are as dainty morsels, they go down into the innermost parts.
23Burning lips and a wicked heart are like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.
23Like silver dross on an earthen vessel are the lips of a fervent one with an evil heart.
24He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, but he layeth up deceit within him.
24A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, but he harbors evil in his heart.
25When he speaketh fair, believe him not; for there are seven abominations in his heart.
25When his speech is charming, don’t believe him, for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26Though his hatred be concealed with deceit, his wickedness shall be revealed before the congregation.
26His malice may be concealed by deception, but 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.
27Whoever digs a pit shall fall into it. Whoever rolls a stone, it will come 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 hurts; and a flattering mouth works ruin.
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