GodsWord - Proverbs - 26

26:1  Like snow in summertime and rain at harvest time, so honor is not right for a fool.

26:2  Like a fluttering sparrow, like a darting swallow, so a hastily spoken curse does not come to rest.

26:3  A whip is for the horse, a bridle is for the donkey, and a rod is for the backs of fools.

26:4  Do not answer a fool with his own stupidity, or you will be like him.

26:5  Answer a fool with his own stupidity, or he will think he is wise.

26:6  Whoever uses a fool to send a message cuts off his own feet and brings violence upon himself.

26:7  Like a lame person's limp legs, so is a proverb in the mouths of fools.

26:8  Like tying a stone to a sling, so is giving honor to a fool.

26:9  Like a thorn stuck in a drunk's hand, so is a proverb in the mouths of fools.

26:10  Like many people who destroy everything, so is one who hires fools or drifters.

26:11  As a dog goes back to its vomit, so a fool repeats his stupidity.

26:12  Have you met a person who thinks he is wise? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

26:13  A lazy person says, "There's a ferocious lion out on the road! There's a lion loose in the streets!"

26:14  As a door turns on its hinges, so the lazy person turns on his bed.

26:15  A lazy person puts his fork in his food. He wears himself out as he brings it back to his mouth.

26:16  A lazy person thinks he is wiser than seven people who give a sensible answer.

26:17  Like grabbing a dog by the ears, so is a bystander who gets involved in someone else's quarrel.

26:18  Like a madman who shoots flaming arrows, arrows, and death,

26:19  so is the person who tricks his neighbor and says, "I was only joking!"

26:20  Without wood a fire goes out, and without gossip a quarrel dies down.

26:21  As charcoal fuels burning coals and wood fuels fire, so a quarrelsome person fuels a dispute.

26:22  The words of a gossip are swallowed greedily, and they go down into a person's innermost being.

26:23  Like a clay pot covered with cheap silver, so is smooth talk that covers up an evil heart.

26:24  Whoever is filled with hate disguises it with his speech, but inside he holds on to deceit.

26:25  When he talks charmingly, do not trust him because of the seven disgusting things in his heart.

26:26  His hatred is deceitfully hidden, but his wickedness will be revealed to the community.

26:27  Whoever digs a pit will fall into it. Whoever rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.

26:28  A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth causes ruin.