Proverbs 26

All About Fools 

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                                    1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.                                

                                    1 Like snow in summer and like (A)rain in harvest,So honor is not (B)fitting for a fool.                                

                                    1 Like snow in summer and rain at harvest,(A)honor is inappropriate for a fool.(B)                                

                                    1 Like snowfall in summer or rain at harvest time, so honor is inappropriate for a fool.                                

                                    1 Like snow in summer and like rain in harvest,So honor is not fitting for a [shortsighted] (a)fool.(A)                                
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                                    2 As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.                                

                                    2 Like a (C)sparrow in its (a)flitting, like a swallow in its flying,So a (D)curse without cause does not (b)alight.                                

                                    2 Like a flitting sparrow or a fluttering swallow,(C)an undeserved curse goes nowhere.(D)                                

                                    2 Like a fluttering sparrow or a swallow in flight, a curse without cause will not alight.                                

                                    2 Like the sparrow in her wandering, like the swallow in her flying,So the curse without cause does not come and alight [on the undeserving].(B)                                
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                                    3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.                                

                                    3 A (E)whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,And a (F)rod for the back of fools.                                

                                    3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,(E)and a rod for the backs of fools.(F)                                

                                    3 A whip is for the horses, a bridle is for the donkey, a rod is for the back of fools.                                

                                    3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,And a rod for the backs of fools [who refuse to learn].                                
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                                    4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.                                

                                    4 (G)Do not answer a fool according to his folly,Or you will also be like him.                                

                                    4 Don’t answer a fool according to his foolishness(G)or you’ll be like him yourself.                                

                                    4 Don't answer a fool according to his foolishness, or you will be just like him.                                

                                    4 Do not answer [nor pretend to agree with the frivolous comments of] a [closed-minded] fool according to his folly,Otherwise you, even you, will be like him.                                
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                                    5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.                                

                                    5 (H)Answer a fool as his folly deserves,That he not be (I)wise in his own eyes.                                

                                    5 Answer a fool according to his foolishness(H)or he’ll become wise in his own eyes.(I)                                

                                    5 Answer a fool according to his foolishness, or he will think himself to be wise.                                

                                    5 Answer [and correct the erroneous concepts of] a fool according to his folly,Otherwise he will be wise in his own eyes [if he thinks you agree with him].(C)                                
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                                    6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.                                

                                    6 He cuts off his own feet and drinks violenceWho sends a message by the hand of a fool.                                

                                    6 The one who sends a message by a fool’s hand(J)cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.(K)                                

                                    6 Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.                                

                                    6 He who sends a message by the hand of a foolCuts off his own feet (sabotages himself) and drinks the violence [it brings on himself as a consequence].(D)                                
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                                    7 The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.                                

                                    7 Like the legs which (c)are useless to the lame,So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.                                

                                    7 A proverb in the mouth of a foolis like lame legs that hang limp.                                

                                    7 Useless legs to the lame      that's what a proverb quoted by a fool is.                                

                                    7 Like the legs which are useless to the lame,So is a proverb in the mouth of a fool [who cannot learn from its wisdom].                                
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                                    8 As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.                                

                                    8 Like (d)one who binds a stone in a sling,So is he who gives honor to a fool.                                

                                    8 Giving honor to a foolis like binding a stone in a sling.(a)                                

                                    8 Tying a stone to a sling      that's what giving honor to a fool is.                                

                                    8 Like one who [absurdly] binds a stone in a sling [making it impossible to throw],So is he who [absurdly] gives honor to a fool.                                
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                                    9 As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.                                

                                    9 Like a thorn which (e)falls into the hand of a drunkard,So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.                                

                                    9 A proverb in the mouth of a foolis like a stick with thorns,brandished by(b) the hand of a drunkard.                                

                                    9 A thorn in the hand of a drunkard      that's what a proverb quoted by a fool is.                                

                                    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 fool [who remains unaffected by its wisdom].                                
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                                    10 The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.                                

                                    10 (f)Like an archer who wounds everyone,So is he who hires a fool or who hires those who pass by.                                

                                    10 The one who hires a fool or who hires those passing byis like an archer who wounds everyone.                                

                                    10 An archer who shoots at anyone      is like someone who hires a fool or anyone who passes by.                                

                                    10 Like a [careless] archer who [shoots arrows wildly and] wounds everyone,So is he who hires a fool or those who [by chance just] pass by.                                
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                                    11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.                                

                                    11 Like (J)a dog that returns to its vomitIs a fool who (K)repeats (g)his folly.                                

                                    11 As a dog returns to its vomit,so a fool repeats his foolishness.(L)                                

                                    11 A dog that returns to its vomit is like a fool who reverts to his folly.                                

                                    11 Like a dog that returns to his vomitIs a fool who repeats his foolishness.                                
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                                    12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.                                

                                    12 Do you see a man (L)wise in his own eyes?(M)There is more hope for a fool than for him.                                

                                    12 Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes?(M)There is more hope for a fool than for him.(N)                                

                                    12 Do you see a man who is wise in his own opinion? There's more hope for a fool than for him.                                

                                    12 Do you see a man [who is unteachable and] wise in his own eyes and full of self-conceit?There is more hope for a fool than for him.(E)                                
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                                    13 The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.                                

                                    13 The (N)sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road!A lion is (h)in the open square!”                                

                                    13 The slacker says, “There’s a lion in the road—a lion in the public square!”(O)                                

                                    13 The lazy person claims, "There is a lion in the road! There's a lion in the streets!"                                

                                    13 The lazy person [who is self-indulgent and relies on lame excuses] says, “There is a lion in the road!A lion is in the open square [and if I go outside to work I will be killed]!”(F)                                
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                                    14 As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.                                

                                    14 As the door turns on its hinges,So does the (O)sluggard on his bed.                                

                                    14 A door turns on its hinges,and a slacker, on his bed.(P)                                

                                    14 The door turns on its hinges      as does the lazy person on his bed.                                

                                    14 As the door turns on its hinges,So does the lazy person on his bed [never getting out of it].                                
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                                    15 The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.                                

                                    15 The (P)sluggard buries his hand in the dish;He is weary of bringing it to his mouth again.                                

                                    15 The slacker buries his hand in the bowl;he is too weary to bring it to his mouth.(Q)                                

                                    15 The lazy person buries his hand in the dish, but he's too tired to bring it to his mouth again.                                

                                    15 The lazy person buries his hand in the dish [losing opportunity after opportunity];It wearies him to bring it back to his mouth.(G)                                
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                                    16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.                                

                                    16 The sluggard is (Q)wiser in his own eyesThan seven men who can (i)give a discreet answer.                                

                                    16 In his own eyes, a slacker is wiser(R)than seven men who can answer sensibly.                                

                                    16 The lazy person is wiser in his own opinion than seven men who can give an appropriate response.                                

                                    16 The lazy person is wiser in his own eyesThan seven [sensible] men who can give a discreet answer.                                
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                                    17 He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.                                

                                    17 Like one who takes a dog by the earsIs he who passes by and (j)meddles with (R)strife not belonging to him.                                

                                    17 A person who is passing by and meddles in a quarrel that’s not hisis like one who grabs a dog by the ears.                                

                                    17 Picking up a dog by the ears      that's what someone is like who meddles in another's fight.                                

                                    17 Like one who grabs a dog by the ears [and is likely to be bitten]Is he who, passing by, stops to meddle with a dispute that is none of his business.                                
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                                    18 As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,                                

                                    18 Like a madman who throws(S)Firebrands, arrows and death,                                

                                    18 Like a madman who throws flaming darts and deadly arrows,(S)                                

                                    18 Like the maniac who shoots fiery darts and deadly arrows                                     

                                    18 Like a madman who throwsFirebrands, arrows, and death,                                
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                                    19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?                                

                                    19 So is the man who (T)deceives his neighbor,And says, “(U)Was I not joking?”                                

                                    19 so is the man who deceives his neighborand says, “I was only joking!”                                

                                    19 that's what someone is like who lies to his neighbor and then says, "I was joking, wasn't I?"                                

                                    19 So is the man who deceives his neighbor (acquaintance, friend)And then says, “Was I not joking?”(H)                                
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                                    20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.                                

                                    20 For lack of wood the fire goes out,And where there is no (V)whisperer, (W)contention quiets down.                                

                                    20 Without wood, fire goes out;without a gossip, conflict dies down.(T)                                

                                    20 Without wood, the fire goes out. Without a gossip, contention stops.                                

                                    20 For lack of wood the fire goes out,And where there is no whisperer [who gossips], contention quiets down.                                
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                                    21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.                                

                                    21 Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire,So is a (X)contentious man to kindle strife.                                

                                    21 As charcoal for embers and wood for fire,so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.(U)                                

                                    21 Charcoal is to hot coals as wood is to fire; so also a quarrelsome man fuels strife.                                

                                    21 Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire,So is a contentious man to kindle strife.(I)                                
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                                    22 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.                                

                                    22 The (Y)words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels,And they go down into the (k)innermost parts of the body.                                

                                    22 A gossip’s words are like choice foodthat goes down to one’s innermost being.(c)(V)                                

                                    22 The words of a gossip are like delicate morsels; they sink down deep within.                                

                                    22 The words of a whisperer (gossip) are like dainty morsels [to be greedily eaten];They go down into the innermost chambers of the body [to be remembered and mused upon].(J)                                
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                                    23 Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.                                

                                    23 Like an earthen (Z)vessel overlaid with silver (AA)drossAre burning lips and a wicked heart.                                

                                    23 Smooth(d) lips with an evil heartare like glaze on an earthen vessel.(W)                                

                                    23 A clay vessel plated with a thin veneer of silver      that's what smooth lips with a wicked heart are.                                

                                    23 Like a [common] clay vessel covered with the silver dross [making it appear silver when it has no real value]Are burning lips [murmuring manipulative words] and a wicked heart.                                
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                                    24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;                                

                                    24 He who (AB)hates disguises it with his lips,But he lays up (AC)deceit in his (l)heart.                                

                                    24 A hateful person disguises himself with his speechand harbors deceit within.                                

                                    24 Someone who hates hides behind his words, harboring deceit within himself.                                

                                    24 He who hates, disguises it with his lips,But he stores up deceit in his heart.                                
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                                    25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.                                

                                    25 When (m)he (AD)speaks graciously, do not believe him,For there are seven abominations in his heart.                                

                                    25 When he speaks graciously, don’t believe him,for there are seven abominations in his heart.(X)                                

                                    25 Though he speaks graciously, don't believe him, for there are seven detestable things in his heart.                                

                                    25 When he speaks graciously and kindly [to conceal his malice], do not trust him,For seven abominations are in his heart.                                
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                                    26 Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.                                

                                    26 Though his hatred (AE)covers itself with guile,His wickedness will be (AF)revealed before the assembly.                                

                                    26 Though his hatred is concealed by deception,his evil will be revealed in the assembly.                                

                                    26 Though malice disguises itself with deception, its evil will be exposed publicly.                                

                                    26 Though his hatred covers itself with guile and deceit,His malevolence will be revealed openly before the assembly.                                
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                                    27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.                                

                                    27 He who (AG)digs a pit will fall into it,And he who rolls a stone, it will come back on him.                                

                                    27 The one who digs a pit will fall into it,and whoever rolls a stone—it will come back on him.(Y)                                

                                    27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and the stone will come back on whoever starts it rolling.                                

                                    27 Whoever digs a pit [for another man’s feet] will fall into it,And he who rolls a stone [up a hill to do mischief], it will come back on him.(K)                                
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                                    28 A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.                                

                                    28 A lying tongue hates (n)those it crushes,And a (AH)flattering mouth works ruin.                                

                                    28 A lying tongue hates those it crushes,and a flattering mouth causes ruin.  >                                

                                    28 A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth causes ruin.                                

                                    28 A lying tongue hates those it wounds and crushes,And a flattering mouth works ruin.