26:1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.
26:1 As snow in summer and rain in harvest, So honor is not fitting for a fool.

26:2 As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.
26:2 Like a flitting sparrow, like a flying swallow, So a curse without cause shall not alight.

26:3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.
26:3 A whip for the horse, A bridle for the donkey, And a rod for the fool's back.

26:4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
26:4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Lest you also be like him.

26:5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
26:5 Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes.

26:6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, [and] drinketh damage.
26:6 He who sends a message by the hand of a fool Cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.

26:7 The legs of the lame are not equal: so [is] a parable in the mouth of fools.
26:7 Like the legs of the lame that hang limp Is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

26:8 As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so [is] he that giveth honour to a fool.
26:8 Like one who binds a stone in a sling Is he who gives honor to a fool.

26:9 [As] a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so [is] a parable in the mouth of fools.
26:9 Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard Is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

26:10 The great [God] that formed all [things] both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.
26:10 The great God who formed everything Gives the fool his hire and the transgressor his wages.

26:11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, [so] a fool returneth to his folly.
26:11 As a dog returns to his own vomit, So a fool repeats his folly.

26:12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? [there is] more hope of a fool than of him.
26:12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

26:13 The slothful [man] saith, [There is] a lion in the way; a lion [is] in the streets.
26:13 The lazy man says, "There is a lion in the road! A fierce lion is in the streets!"

26:14 [As] the door turneth upon his hinges, so [doth] the slothful upon his bed.
26:14 As a door turns on its hinges, So does the lazy man on his bed.

26:15 The slothful hideth his hand in [his] bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.
26:15 The lazy man buries his hand in the bowl; It wearies him to bring it back to his mouth.

26:16 The sluggard [is] wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
26:16 The lazy man is wiser in his own eyes Than seven men who can answer sensibly.

26:17 He that passeth by, [and] meddleth with strife [belonging] not to him, [is like] one that taketh a dog by the ears.
26:17 He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own Is like one who takes a dog by the ears.

26:18 As a mad [man] who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
26:18 Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death,

26:19 So [is] the man [that] deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
26:19 Is the man who deceives his neighbor, And says, "I was only joking!"

26:20 Where no wood is, [there] the fire goeth out: so where [there is] no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
26:20 Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.

26:21 [As] coals [are] to burning coals, and wood to fire; so [is] a contentious man to kindle strife.
26:21 As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle strife.

26:22 The words of a talebearer [are] as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
26:22 The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, And they go down into the inmost body.

26:23 Burning lips and a wicked heart [are like] a potsherd covered with silver dross.
26:23 Fervent lips with a wicked heart Are like earthenware covered with silver dross.

26:24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
26:24 He who hates, disguises it with his lips, And lays up deceit within himself;

26:25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for [there are] seven abominations in his heart.
26:25 When he speaks kindly, do not believe him, For there are seven abominations in his heart;

26:26 [Whose] hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the [whole] congregation.
26:26 Though his hatred is covered by deceit, His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly.

26:27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
26:27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, And he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.

26:28 A lying tongue hateth [those that are] afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
26:28 A lying tongue hates those who are crushed by it, And a flattering mouth works ruin.