Proverbs 26

As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.

Just as snow in summer and rain during harvest are out of place, so is honor undeserved for a fool.

As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.

Just as a bird flits about and a swallow darts through the sky without landing, a curse that isn't deserved won't land.

A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back.

A horse needs a whip, a donkey a bridle, and a fool's back the rod.

Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.

Don't respond to a fool's foolishness, or you might become just as foolish.

Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.

Respond to a fool's nonsense, so they don't think they're smarter than they actually are.

He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.

Sending a message through a fool is like crippling oneself and willingly inviting trouble.

The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

Just as a crippled person struggles to walk straight, so does a fool struggle to speak wisdom.

As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.

Just as it's pointless to tie a rock in a sling, so it is to give praise to a fool.

As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouths of fools.

Just as a drunkard unknowingly hurts himself with a thorn, so too does a fool misuse wisdom, causing harm.

The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.

The mighty Creator of everything, in His wisdom, gives both the foolish and the wrongdoers their due consequences.

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

Just as a dog goes back to its own sick, a fool repeats his mistakes.

Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

Do you see a man who thinks he knows it all? Even a fool has more potential than him.

The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.

The lazy man makes excuses, claiming danger lurks everywhere, like a lion roaming the streets.

As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.

Just like a door swings lazily on its hinges, a lazy person keeps turning in their bed.

The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.

The lazy person keeps his hand in his pocket, finding it too much effort to even feed himself.

The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.

A lazy person, in his own mind, believes he's smarter than seven men who can logically explain their actions.

He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.

If you interfere in conflicts that aren't yours, it's as risky as grabbing a dog by its ears.

As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,

Like a crazed man recklessly spreading flames, launching arrows, and causing destruction,

So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?

Just like a person who tricks his friend and then says, "I was just joking!"

Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.

Without fuel, a fire dies; similarly, without a gossip, conflicts stop.

As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.

Just as coals fuel a fire, a quarrelsome person fuels conflict.

The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

Gossip's words can deeply hurt, reaching the core of one's being.

Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.

Deceptive sweet talk and a malicious heart are like a broken piece of pottery, falsely coated in cheap silver.

He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;

The one who harbors hatred masks it with his words, storing dishonesty within himself.

When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.

Don't trust his sweet words, for his heart hides seven evils.

Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.

When one hides their hatred with lies, their evil will be revealed to everyone.

Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.

Anyone who digs a trap will surely get caught in it, and if you try to hurt others, it will only come back to hurt you.

A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.

A deceitful tongue despises its victims, and insincere praise leads to destruction.