Proverbs 26

1Like snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool. 2like a darting swallow, so the undeserved curse doesn’t come to rest. Like a fluttering sparrow, 3a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools! A whip is for the horse, 4lest you also be like him. Don’t answer a fool according to his folly, 5lest he be wise in his own eyes. Answer a fool according to his folly, 6is cutting off feet and drinking violence. One who sends a message by the hand of a fool 7so is a parable in the mouth of fools. Like the legs of the lame that hang loose: 8so is he who gives honor to a fool. As one who binds a stone in a sling, 9so is a parable in the mouth of fools. Like a thorn bush that goes into the hand of a drunkard, 10so is he who hires a fool or he who hires those who pass by. As an archer who wounds all, 11so is a fool who repeats his folly. As a dog that returns to his vomit, 12There is more hope for a fool than for him. Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? 13A fierce lion roams the streets!” The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! 14so does the sluggard on his bed. As the door turns on its hinges, 15He is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth. The sluggard buries his hand in the dish. 16than seven men who answer with discretion. The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes 17is one who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own. Like one who grabs a dog’s ears 18Like a madman who shoots torches, arrows, and death, 19is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “Am I not joking?” 20Without gossip, a quarrel dies down. For lack of wood a fire goes out. 21and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindling strife. As coals are to hot embers, 22they go down into the innermost parts. The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, 23are the lips of a fervent one with an evil heart. Like silver dross on an earthen vessel 24but he harbors evil in his heart. A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, 25for there are seven abominations in his heart. When his speech is charming, don’t believe him; 26but his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly. His malice may be concealed by deception, 27Whoever rolls a stone, it will come back on him. Whoever digs a pit shall fall into it. 28and a flattering mouth works ruin. A lying tongue hates those it hurts;