Pro Proverbs, chapter Proverbs of Solomon, chapter 26
Similitudes and Instructions
Like snow in summer and like rain in harvest,
So honor is not fitting for a fool.
Like a sparrow in its 26:2 Lit wanderingflitting, like a swallow in its flying,
So a curse without cause does not come to rest.
A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,
And a rod for the back of fools.Psa 32:9
Do not answer a fool 26:4 I.e., taking his question or argument seriouslyaccording to his foolishness,
Or you will also be like him.Mat 21:27
Answer a fool as his foolishness deserves,
So that he will not be wise in his own eyes.
One who sends a message by the hand of a fool
Chops off his own feet and drinks violence.
Like 26:7 Lit legs that dangle from one paralyzeduseless legs to one who cannot walk,
So is a proverb in the mouths of fools.
Like 26:8 Lit the binding ofone who binds a stone in a sling,
So is one who gives honor to a fool.
Like a thorn that 26:9 Lit goes upsticks in the hand of a heavy drinker,
So is a proverb in the mouths of fools.
26:10 Or A master workman produces all things, But one who hires a fool is like one who hires those who pass by Like an archer who wounds everyone,
So is one who hires a fool or hires those who pass by.
Like a dog that returns to its vomit,
So is a fool who repeats 26:11 Lit with hishis foolishness.2Pe 2:22
Do you see a person wise in his own eyes?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.Isa 5:21; Rom 12:16
26:13 Lit an idle, and so throughout the chA lazy one says, “There is a lion on the road!
A lion is 26:13 Lit withinin the public square!”Pro 22:13
As the door turns on its hinges,
So does a lazy one on his bed.
A lazy one buries his hand in the dish;
He is weary of bringing it to his mouth again.Pro 19:24
A lazy one is wiser in his own eyes
Than seven people who can 26:16 Lit return discreetlygive a discreet answer.Luk 19:21
Like one who takes a dog by the ears,
So is one who passes by and 26:17 Lit infuriates himselfmeddles with strife not belonging to him.
Like a maniac who shoots
Flaming arrows, arrows, and death,
So is a person who deceives his neighbor,
And says, “Was I not joking?”
For lack of wood the fire goes out,
And where there is no gossiper, quarreling quiets down.
Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire,
So is a contentious person to kindle strife.
The words of a gossiper are like dainty morsels,
And they go down into the 26:22 Lit chambers of the bellyinnermost parts of the body.Psa 55:21
Like an earthenware vessel overlaid with silver 26:23 Lit drossimpurities
Are burning lips and a wicked heart.
One who hates disguises it with his lips,
But he harbors deceit in his 26:24 Lit inward partheart.Act 16:17
When 26:25 Lit his voice is gracioushe speaks graciously, do not believe him,
Because there are seven abominations in his heart.1Sa 26:25
Though his hatred covers itself with deception,
His wickedness will be revealed in the assembly.
One who digs a pit will fall into it,
And one who rolls a stone, it will come back on him.Psa 7:15; Ecc 10:8
A lying tongue hates 26:28 Lit its crushed onesthose it crushes,
And a flattering mouth works ruin.