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