Proverbs 26
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1As snow in summer and rain in harvest, So honor is not fitting for a fool.1Like snowfall in summer or rain at harvest time, so honor is inappropriate for a fool.
2Like a flitting sparrow, like a flying swallow, So a curse without cause shall not alight.2Like a fluttering sparrow or a swallow in flight, a curse without cause will not alight.
3A whip for the horse, A bridle for the donkey, And a rod for the fool’s back.3A whip is for the horses, a bridle is for the donkey, a rod is for the back of fools.
4Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Lest you also be like him.4Don't answer a fool according to his foolishness, or you will be just like him.
5Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes.5Answer a fool according to his foolishness, or he will think himself to be wise.
6He who sends a message by the hand of a fool Cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.6Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.
7Like the legs of the lame that hang limp Is a proverb in the mouth of fools.7Useless legs to the lame— that's what a proverb quoted by a fool is.
8Like one who binds a stone in a sling Is he who gives honor to a fool.8Tying a stone to a sling— that's what giving honor to a fool is.
9Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard Is a proverb in the mouth of fools.9A thorn in the hand of a drunkard— that's what a proverb quoted by a fool is.
10The great God who formed everything Gives the fool his hire and the transgressor his wages.10An archer who shoots at anyone— is like someone who hires a fool or anyone who passes by.
11As a dog returns to his own vomit, So a fool repeats his folly.11A dog that returns to its vomit is like a fool who reverts to 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 opinion? There's 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 lazy person claims, "There is a lion in the road! There's a lion in the streets!"
14As a door turns on its hinges, So does the lazy man on his bed.14The door turns on its hinges— as does the lazy person on his bed.
15The lazy man buries his hand in the bowl; It wearies him to bring it back to his mouth.15The lazy person buries his hand in the dish, but he's too tired to bring it to his mouth again.
16The lazy man is wiser in his own eyes Than seven men who can answer sensibly.16The lazy person is wiser in his own opinion than seven men who can give an appropriate response.
17He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own Is like one who takes a dog by the ears.17Picking up a dog by the ears— that's what someone is like who meddles in another's fight.
18Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death,18Like the maniac who shoots fiery darts and deadly arrows—
19Is the man who deceives his neighbor, And says, “I was only joking!”19that's what someone is like who lies to his neighbor and then says, "I was joking, wasn't I?"
20Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.20Without wood, the fire goes out. Without a gossip, contention stops.
21As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle strife.21Charcoal is to hot coals as wood is to fire; so also a quarrelsome man fuels 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 delicate morsels; they sink down deep within.
23Fervent lips with a wicked heart Are like earthenware covered with silver dross.23A clay vessel plated with a thin veneer of silver— that's what smooth lips with a wicked heart are.
24He who hates, disguises it with his lips, And lays up deceit within himself;24Someone who hates hides behind his words, harboring deceit within himself.
25When he speaks kindly, do not believe him, For there are seven abominations in his heart;25Though he speaks graciously, don't believe him, for there are seven detestable things in his heart.
26Though his hatred is covered by deceit, His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly.26Though malice disguises itself with deception, its evil will be exposed publicly.
27Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, And he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.27Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and the stone will come back on whoever starts it rolling.
28A lying tongue hates those who are crushed by it, And a flattering mouth works ruin.28A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth causes ruin.
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY.
Proverbs 25
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