Proverbs 26:11
New International Version
As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly.

New Living Translation
As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his foolishness.

English Standard Version
Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.

Berean Standard Bible
As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.

King James Bible
As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.

New King James Version
As a dog returns to his own vomit, So a fool repeats his folly.

New American Standard Bible
Like a dog that returns to its vomit, So is a fool who repeats his foolishness.

NASB 1995
Like a dog that returns to its vomit Is a fool who repeats his folly.

NASB 1977
Like a dog that returns to its vomit Is a fool who repeats his folly.

Legacy Standard Bible
Like a dog that returns to its vomit Is a fool who repeats his folly.

Amplified Bible
Like a dog that returns to his vomit Is a fool who repeats his foolishness.

Christian Standard Bible
As a dog returns to its vomit, so also a fool repeats his foolishness.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his foolishness.

American Standard Version
As a dog that returneth to his vomit, So is a fool that repeateth his folly.

Contemporary English Version
Dogs return to eat their vomit, just as fools repeat their foolishness.

English Revised Version
As a dog that returneth to his vomit, so is a fool that repeateth his folly.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
As a dog goes back to its vomit, [so] a fool repeats his stupidity.

Good News Translation
A fool doing some stupid thing a second time is like a dog going back to its vomit.

International Standard Version
A dog that returns to its vomit is like a fool who reverts to his folly.

Majority Standard Bible
As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.

NET Bible
Like a dog that returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.

New Heart English Bible
As a dog that returns to his vomit, so is a fool who repeats his folly.

Webster's Bible Translation
As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.

World English Bible
As a dog that returns to his vomit, so is a fool who repeats his folly.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
As a dog has returned to its vomit, "" A fool is repeating his folly.

Young's Literal Translation
As a dog hath returned to its vomit, A fool is repeating his folly.

Smith's Literal Translation
As a dog turned back upon his vomit, the foolish one repeated in his folly.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
As a dog that returneth to his vomit, so is the fool that repeateth his folly.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Like a dog that returns to his vomit, so also is the imprudent who repeats his foolishness.

New American Bible
As dogs return to their vomit, so fools repeat their folly.

New Revised Standard Version
Like a dog that returns to its vomit is a fool who reverts to his folly.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
As a dog that returns to his vomit, so is a fool that misbehaves in his folly.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Like a dog that returns to its vomit, so is a fool that is insane in his foolishness.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
As a dog that returneth to his vomit, So is a fool that repeateth his folly.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
As when a dog goes to his own vomit, and becomes abominable, so is fool who returns in his wickedness to his own sin. There is a shame that brings sin: and there is a shame that is glory and grace.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Similitudes and Instructions
10Like an archer who wounds at random is he who hires a fool or passerby. 11As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly. 12Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.…

Cross References
2 Peter 2:22
Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud.”

Matthew 12:43-45
When an unclean spirit comes out of a man, it passes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. / Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ On its return, it finds the house vacant, swept clean, and put in order. / Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and dwell there. And the final plight of that man is worse than the first. So will it be with this wicked generation.”

Luke 11:24-26
When an unclean spirit comes out of a man, it passes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ / On its return, it finds the house swept clean and put in order. / Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and dwell there. And the final plight of that man is worse than the first.”

Hebrews 6:4-6
It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, / who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age— / and then have fallen away—to be restored to repentance, because they themselves are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting Him to open shame.

Hebrews 10:26-27
If we deliberately go on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no further sacrifice for sins remains, / but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume all adversaries.

Philippians 3:18-19
For as I have often told you before, and now say again even with tears: Many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. / Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and their glory is in their shame. Their minds are set on earthly things.

Galatians 4:9
But now that you know God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you are turning back to those weak and worthless principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?

Romans 6:21
What fruit did you reap at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? The outcome of those things is death.

1 Corinthians 15:33-34
Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.” / Sober up as you ought, and stop sinning; for some of you are ignorant of God. I say this to your shame.

James 1:23-24
For anyone who hears the word but does not carry it out is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror, / and after observing himself goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.

Isaiah 19:14
The LORD has poured into her a spirit of confusion. Egypt has been led astray in all she does, as a drunkard staggers through his own vomit.

Jeremiah 13:23
Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? Neither are you able to do good—you who are accustomed to doing evil.

Psalm 107:17
Fools, in their rebellious ways, and through their iniquities, suffered affliction.

Psalm 85:8
I will listen to what God the LORD will say; for He will surely speak peace to His people and His saints; He will not let them return to folly.

Psalm 14:1
For the choirmaster. Of David. The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt; their acts are vile. There is no one who does good.


Treasury of Scripture

As a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool returns to his folly.

a dog

Exodus 8:15
But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.

Matthew 12:45
Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.

2 Peter 2:22
But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

returneth to his folly

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Proverbs 26
1. observations about fools
13. about sluggards
17. and about contentious busybodies














As a dog returns to its vomit
This vivid imagery is drawn from the natural behavior of dogs, which was well-known in ancient times and remains observable today. The Hebrew word for "dog" here is "כֶּלֶב" (kelev), which in the cultural context of ancient Israel, was often associated with uncleanliness and low status. Dogs were not the beloved pets they are in many modern societies; rather, they were scavengers. The act of returning to vomit symbolizes a lack of discernment and an inability to learn from past mistakes. This behavior is instinctual and mindless, highlighting the irrationality of repeating past errors. Theologically, this phrase serves as a stark reminder of the human tendency to revert to sinful behaviors despite knowing their destructive outcomes. It calls believers to seek transformation through the renewing of the mind (Romans 12:2).

so a fool repeats his folly
The word "fool" in Hebrew is "כְּסִיל" (kesil), which refers to someone who is morally deficient and lacks wisdom. In the book of Proverbs, the fool is often contrasted with the wise person who fears the Lord and seeks understanding. The repetition of folly indicates a cycle of behavior that is both self-destructive and resistant to correction. The term "folly" (אִוֶּלֶת, ivvelet) encompasses not just foolish actions but a deeper moral and spiritual failing. Historically, this reflects the broader biblical narrative where Israel repeatedly turned away from God despite His continuous guidance and correction. For the conservative Christian, this serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of ignoring divine wisdom and the importance of repentance and spiritual growth. It underscores the need for accountability and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit to break the cycle of sin.

(11) So a fool returneth to his folly.--Though he knows it to be folly, and ruinous to him: but vice has become to him a second nature, and he cannot, even if he would, escape from it. This is especially true of those who have given way to drink or impurity of life.

Verse 11. - As the dog returneth to his vomit (see 2 Peter 2:22, which, however, is not quoted from the Septuagint), so a fool returneth to his folly; or, repeateth his folly. The fool never frees himself from the trammels of his foolishness; his deeds and words always bear the same character to the end. The same truth holds good of the sinner, especially the drunkard and the sensualist. If they feel temporary compunction, and reject their sin by partial repentance, they do not really shake it off wholly; it has become a second nature to them, and they soon relapse into it. Septuagint, "As when a dog goes to his own vomit and becomes hateful, so is a fool who returns in his wickedness to his own sin." The LXX. adds a distich which is found in Ecclus. 4:21, "There is a shame that bringeth sin, and there is a shame that is glory and grace."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
As a dog
כְּ֭כֶלֶב (kə·ḵe·leḇ)
Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3611: A dog, a male prostitute

returns
שָׁ֣ב (šāḇ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

to
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

its vomit,
קֵא֑וֹ (qê·’ōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6892: What is vomited up, vomit

so a fool
כְּ֝סִ֗יל (kə·sîl)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3684: Stupid fellow, dullard, fool

repeats
שׁוֹנֶ֥ה (šō·w·neh)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 8138: To fold, duplicate, to transmute

his folly.
בְאִוַּלְתּֽוֹ׃ (ḇə·’iw·wal·tōw)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 200: Silliness


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 26:11 As a dog that returns to his (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 26:10
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