Proverbs 26:1-28 NCV

[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] Whips are for horses, and harnesses are for donkeys, so paddles are good for fools. [4] Don't answer fools when they speak foolishly, or you will be just like them. [5] Answer fools when they speak foolishly, or they will think they are really wise. [6] Sending a message by a foolish person is like cutting off your feet or drinking poison. [7] A wise saying spoken by a fool is as useless as the legs of a crippled person. [8] Giving honor to a foolish person 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] Hiring a foolish person or anyone just passing by is like an archer shooting at just anything. [11] A fool who repeats his foolishness is like a dog that goes back to what it has thrown up. [12] There is more hope for a foolish person than for those who think they are wise. [13] The lazy person says, "There's a lion in the road! There's a lion in the streets!" [14] Like a door turning back and forth on its hinges, the lazy person turns over and over in bed. [15] Lazy people may put their hands in the dish, but they are too tired to lift the food to their mouths. [16] The lazy person thinks he is wiser than seven people who give sensible answers. [17] Interfering in someone else's quarrel as you pass by is like grabbing a dog by the ears. [18] Like a madman shooting deadly, burning arrows [19] is the one who tricks a neighbor and then says, "I was just joking." [20] Without wood, a fire will go out, and without gossip, quarreling will stop. [21] Just as charcoal and wood keep a fire going, a quarrelsome person keeps an argument going. [22] The words of a gossip are like tasty bits of food; people like to gobble them up. [23] Kind words from a wicked mind are like a shiny coating on a clay pot. [24] Those who hate you may try to fool you with their words, but in their minds they are planning evil. [25] People's words may be kind, but don't believe them, because their minds are full of evil thoughts. [26] Lies can hide hate, but the evil will be plain to everyone. [27] Whoever digs a pit for others will fall into it. Whoever tries to roll a boulder down on others will be crushed by it. [28] Liars hate the people they hurt, and false praise can ruin others.