NIV · New International Version
Proverbs
Chapter 26
- 1
Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, honor is not fitting for a fool.
- 2
Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest.
- 3
A whip for the horse, a halter for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools!
- 4
Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will be like him yourself.
- 5
Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.
- 6
Like cutting off one’s feet or drinking violence is the sending of a message by the hand of a fool.
- 7
Like a lame man’s legs that hang limp is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
- 8
Like tying a stone in a sling is the giving of honor to a fool.
- 9
Like a thornbush in a drunkard’s hand is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
- 10
Like an archer who wounds at random is he who hires a fool or any passer-by.
- 11
As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.
- 12
Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
- 13
The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road, a fierce lion roaming the streets!”
- 14
As a door turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed.
- 15
The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.
- 16
The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer discreetly.
- 17
Like one who seizes a dog by the ears is a passer-by who meddles in a quarrel not his own.
- 18
Like a madman shooting firebrands or deadly arrows
- 19
is a man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I was only joking!”
- 20
Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down.
- 21
As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.
- 22
The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man’s inmost parts.
- 23
Like a coating of glaze over earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart.
- 24
A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, but in his heart he harbors deceit.
- 25
Though his speech is charming, do not believe him, for seven abominations fill his heart.
- 26
His malice may be concealed by deception, but his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
- 27
If a man digs a pit, he will fall into it; if a man rolls a stone, it will roll back on him.
- 28
A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin.
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