Proverbs 26:1-28 WEB

[1] Like snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool. [2] Like a fluttering sparrow, like a darting swallow, so the undeserved curse doesn’t come to rest. [3] A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools! [4] Don’t answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him. [5] Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes. [6] One who sends a message by the hand of a fool is cutting off feet and drinking violence. [7] Like the legs of the lame that hang loose, so is a parable in the mouth of fools. [8] As one who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honor to a fool. [9] Like a thorn bush that goes into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools. [10] As an archer who wounds all, so is he who hires a fool or he who hires those who pass by. [11] As a dog that returns to his vomit, so is a fool who repeats his folly. [12] Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. [13] The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! A fierce lion roams the streets!” [14] As the door turns on its hinges, so does the sluggard on his bed. [15] The sluggard buries his hand in the dish. He is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth. [16] The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer with discretion. [17] Like one who grabs a dog’s ears is one who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own. [18] Like a madman who shoots torches, arrows, and death, [19] is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “Am I not joking?” [20] For lack of wood a fire goes out. Without gossip, a quarrel dies down. [21] As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindling strife. [22] The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, they go down into the innermost parts. [23] Like silver dross on an earthen vessel are the lips of a fervent one with an evil heart. [24] A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, but he harbors evil in his heart. [25] When his speech is charming, don’t believe him, for there are seven abominations in his heart. [26] His malice may be concealed by deception, but his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly. [27] Whoever digs a pit shall fall into it. Whoever rolls a stone, it will come back on him. [28] A lying tongue hates those it hurts; and a flattering mouth works ruin.