Proverbs 26:1-28 AMPC

[1] Like snow in summer and like rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a [self-confident] fool. [2] Like the sparrow in her wandering, like the swallow in her flying, so the causeless curse does not alight. [3] A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a [straight, slender] rod for the backs of [self-confident] fools. [4] Answer not a [self-confident] fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him. [5] Answer a [self-confident] fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes and conceit. [6] He who sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off the feet [of satisfactory delivery] and drinks the damage. [7] Like the legs of a lame man which hang loose, so is a parable in the mouth of a fool. [8] Like he who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honor to a [self-confident] fool. [9] Like a thorn that goes [without being felt] into the hand of a drunken man, so is a proverb in the mouth of a [self-confident] fool. [10] [But] like an archer who wounds all, so is he who hires a fool or chance passers-by. [11] As a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool returns to his folly. [12] Do you see a man wise in his own eyes and conceit? There is more hope for a [self-confident] fool than for him. [13] The sluggard says, There is a lion in the way! A lion is in the streets! [14] As the door turns on its hinges, so does the lazy man [move not from his place] upon his bed. [15] The slothful and self-indulgent buries his hand in his bosom; it distresses and wearies him to bring it again to his mouth. [16] The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes and conceit than seven men who can render a reason and answer discreetly. [17] He who, passing by, stops to meddle with strife that is none of his business is like one who takes a dog by the ears. [18] Like a madman who casts firebrands, arrows, and death, [19] So is the man who deceives his neighbor and then says, Was I not joking? [20] For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, contention ceases. [21] As coals are to hot embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man to inflame strife. [22] The words of a whisperer or slanderer are like dainty morsels or words of sport [to some, but to others are like deadly wounds]; and they go down into the innermost parts of the body [or of the victim's nature]. [23] Burning lips [uttering insincere words of love] and a wicked heart are like an earthen vessel covered with the scum thrown off from molten silver [making it appear to be solid silver]. [24] He who hates pretends with his lips, but stores up deceit within himself. [25] When he speaks kindly, do not trust him, for seven abominations are in his heart. [26] Though his hatred covers itself with guile, his wickedness shall be shown openly before the assembly. [27] Whoever digs a pit [for another man's feet] shall fall into it himself, and he who rolls a stone [up a height to do mischief], it will return upon him. [28] A lying tongue hates those it wounds and crushes, and a flattering mouth works ruin.