Proverbs 26:1-28 ICB

[1] It shouldn't snow in summer or rain at harvest. Neither should a foolish person ever be honored. [2] Curses will not harm someone who is innocent. They are like sparrows or swallows that fly around and never land. [3] A whip is used to guide a horse, and a harness is used for a donkey. In the same way, a paddle is used on a foolish person to guide him. [4] Don't give a foolish person a foolish answer. If you do, you will be just like him. [5] But answer a foolish person as he should be answered. If you don't, he will think he is really wise. [6] Don't send a message by a foolish person. That would be like cutting off your feet or drinking poison. [7] A wise saying spoken by a fool does no good. It is like the legs of a crippled person. [8] Giving honor to a foolish person does no good. It is like tying a stone in a slingshot. [9] A wise saying spoken by a fool is like a thorn stuck in the hand of a drunk. [10] Someone might employ a foolish person or anyone just passing by. That employer is like an archer who shoots at anything he sees. [11] A dog eats what it throws up. And a foolish person repeats his foolishness. [12] Some people think they are wise. There is more hope for a foolish person than for them. [13] The lazy person says, "There's a lion in the road. There's a lion in the streets!" [14] The lazy person is like a door that turns back and forth on its hinges. He stays in bed and turns over and over. [15] The lazy person may put his hand in the dish. But he's too tired to lift the food to his mouth. [16] The lazy person thinks he is wiser than seven people who give sensible answers. [17] To grab a dog by the ears is asking for trouble. So is interfering in someone else's quarrel if you're just passing by. [18] A person shouldn't trick his neighbor and then say, "I was just joking!" That is like a madman shooting deadly, burning arrows. [20] Without wood, a fire will go out. And without gossip, quarreling will stop. [21] Charcoal and wood keep a fire going. In the same way, a quarrelsome person keeps an argument going. [22] The words of a gossip are like tasty bits of food. People take them all in. [23] Kind words from a wicked mind are like a shiny coating on a clay pot. [24] A person who hates you may fool you with his words. But in his mind he is planning evil. [25] His words are kind, but don't believe him. His mind is full of evil thoughts. [26] He hides his hate with lies. But his evil will be plain to everyone. [27] Whoever digs a deep trap for others will fall into it himself. Whoever tries to roll a boulder over others will be crushed by it. [28] A liar hates the people he hurts. And false praise can ruin others.