Proverbs 26:1-28 VOICE

[1] Like snow in the summer and rain in the time of harvest, so honor is never fitting for a fool. [2] Like a bird that flits and flutters or a swallow in mid-flight, so a curse that lacks cause will never come to light. [3] A whip is for the horse, a bridle is for the donkey, and a rod is for the fool's back. [4] Never answer a fool on his own foolish terms, or you will become like him; [5] Rather, answer a fool on his own foolish terms, or he will become wise in his own eyes. [6] Like someone who cuts off his feet or drinks to his ruin, so is the one who uses a fool to pass on his message. [7] As lame legs are useless, dangling on the crippled, so is a proverb in the mouth of a fool. [8] Like one who ties a stone in his slingshot, so is one who honors a fool. [9] Like a thorn in the hand of a drunkard, so is a proverb in the mouth of a fool. [10] Like an archer who shoots at random and injures everyone, so is a person who hires a fool or someone off the street. [11] Like a dog who goes back to his own vomit, so is a fool who always returns to his foolishness. [12] Have you seen a person who is wise in his own sight? Know that there is more hope for a fool than for him. [13] A lazy person says, "There's a lion in the road! A lion in the streets! Another good reason to stay in today." [14] As a door swings on its hinges and goes nowhere, so a slacker turns over in his bed. [15] Some people are so lazy that they reach for food on the plate but lack the will to bring it up to their mouths. [16] The slacker sees himself as wiser by far than seven men who can converse intelligently. [17] Like a man who seizes a wild dog by the ears, so is anyone who walks by and meddles in someone else's argument. [18] Like a madman who hurls flaming spears and shoots deadly arrows, [19] So is anyone who deceives a neighbor and then says, "But I was only joking with you." [20] When there is no wood, the fire goes out; when there is no one to spread gossip, arguing stops. [21] Like charcoal to smoldering embers and dry wood to a fire, so a hot-tempered man kindles strife. [22] Whispered gossip is like a delicious first course: it is devoured with pleasure and then penetrates deep within you. [23] Like a shiny glaze coating a rough clay pot, so are burning lips that conceal an evil heart. [24] One who hates may camouflage it beneath pleasant words, but deep inside him, treachery still rages; [25] Don't believe him when he speaks kindly because his heart is completely ruled by evil. [26] And though he covers his hatred with cleverness, his wicked ways will be publicly exposed. [27] The one who digs a trap for another will fall into it, and the one who starts rolling a stone will have it roll back over him. [28] Liars take no pity on those they crush with their lies, and flattery spoils everyone it touches.