Proverbs 26:1-28 CSB

[1] Like snow in summer and rain at harvest, honor is inappropriate for a fool. [2] Like a flitting sparrow or a fluttering swallow, an undeserved curse goes nowhere. [3] A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools. [4] Don't answer a fool according to his foolishness or you'll be like him yourself. [5] Answer a fool according to his foolishness or he'll become wise in his own eyes. [6] The one who sends a message by a fool's hand cuts off his own feet and drinks violence. [7] A proverb in the mouth of a fool is like lame legs that hang limp. [8] Giving honor to a fool is like binding a stone in a sling. [9] A proverb in the mouth of a fool is like a stick with thorns, brandished by the hand of a drunkard. [10] The one who hires a fool or who hires those passing by is like an archer who wounds everyone indiscriminately. [11] As a dog returns to its vomit, so also a fool repeats his foolishness. [12] Do you see a person who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. [13] The slacker says, "There's a lion in the road- a lion in the public square!" [14] A door turns on its hinges, and a slacker, on his bed. [15] The slacker buries his hand in the bowl; he is too weary to bring it to his mouth! [16] In his own eyes, a slacker is wiser than seven who can answer sensibly. [17] A person who is passing by and meddles in a quarrel that's not his is like one who grabs a dog by the ears. [18] Like a madman who throws flaming darts and deadly arrows, [19] so is the person who deceives his neighbor and says, "I was only joking!" [20] Without wood, fire goes out; without a gossip, conflict dies down. [21] As charcoal for embers and wood for fire, so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife. [22] A gossip's words are like choice food that goes down to one's innermost being. [23] Smooth lips with an evil heart are like glaze on an earthen vessel. [24] A hateful person disguises himself with his speech and harbors deceit within. [25] When he speaks graciously, don't believe him, for there are seven detestable things in his heart. [26] Though his hatred is concealed by deception, his evil will be revealed in the assembly. [27] The one who digs a pit will fall into it, and whoever rolls a stone- it will come back on him. [28] A lying tongue hates those it crushes, and a flattering mouth causes ruin.