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2
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A proverb in the mouth of a fool
is like lame legs that hang limp.
8
9 is like lame legs that hang limp.
A proverb in the mouth of a fool
is like a stick with thorns,
brandished by(b) the hand of a drunkard.
10 is like a stick with thorns,
brandished by(b) the hand of a drunkard.
The one who hires a fool or who hires those passing by
is like an archer who wounds everyone.
11
12 is like an archer who wounds everyone.
17
A person who is passing by and meddles in a quarrel that’s not his
is like one who grabs a dog by the ears.
18 is like one who grabs a dog by the ears.
Like a madman who throws flaming darts and deadly arrows,(S)
19 so is the man who deceives his neighbor
and says, “I was only joking!”
and says, “I was only joking!”
Footnotes:
a.
Proverbs 26:8: A stone bound in a sling would not release and could harm the person using the sling. A modern equivalent is jamming a cork in a gun barrel.
b.
Proverbs 26:9: Lit thorn that goes up into
c.
Proverbs 26:22: Lit to the chambers of the belly
d.
Proverbs 26:23: LXX; MT reads Burning