AB - Proverbs - 26

26:1  As dew in harvest, and as rain in summer, so honor is not seemly for a fool.

26:2  As birds and sparrows fly, so a curse shall not come upon anyone without a cause.

26:3  As a whip for a horse, and a goad for a donkey, so is a rod for a simple nation.

26:4  Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you become like him.

26:5  Yet answer a fool according to his folly, lest he seem wise in his own conceit.

26:6  He that sends a message by a foolish messenger procures for himself a reproach from his own ways.

26:7  As well take away the motion of the legs, as transgression from the mouth of fools.

26:8  He that binds up a stone in a sling, is like one that gives glory to a fool.

26:9  Thorns grow in the hand of a drunkard, and servitude in the hand of fools.

26:10  All the flesh of fools endures much hardship, for their fury is brought to nought.

26:11  As when a dog returns to his own vomit, and becomes abominable, so is a fool who returns in his wickedness to his own sin. (11A) There is a shame that brings sin, and there is a shame that is glory and grace.

26:12  I have seen a man who seemed to himself to be wise; but a fool had more hope than he.

26:13  A sluggard when sent on a journey says, There is a lion in the road, and there are murderers in the streets.

26:14  As a door turns on the hinge, so does a sluggard on his bed.

26:15  A sluggard having hid his hand in his bosom, will not be able to bring it up to his mouth.

26:16  A sluggard seems to himself wiser than one who most satisfactorily brings back a message.

26:17  As he that lays hold of a dog's tail, so is he that makes himself the champion of another's cause.

26:18  As those who need correction put forth fair words to men, and he that first falls in with the proposal will be overthrown;

26:19  so are all that lay wait for their own friends, and when they are discovered, say, I did it in jest.

26:20  With much wood fire increases, but where there is not a double-minded man, strife ceases.

26:21  A hearth for coals, and wood for fire, and a railing man for the tumult of strife.

26:22  The words of a talebearer are soft; but they strike even to the inmost parts of the bowels.

26:23  Silver dishonestly given is to be considered as a potsherd; smooth lips cover a grievous heart.

26:24  A weeping enemy promises all things with his lips, but in his heart he contrives deceit.

26:25  Though your enemy intreat you with a loud voice, consent not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.

26:26  He that hides enmity frames deceit, but being easily discerned, exposes his own sins in the public assemblies.

26:27  He that digs a pit for his neighbor shall fall into it, and he that rolls a stone, rolls it upon himself.

26:28  A lying tongue hates the truth, and an unguarded mouth causes tumults.