JPS - Proverbs - 26

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

26:2  As the wandering sparrow, as the flying swallow, so the curse that is causeless shall come home.

26:3  A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the back of fools.

26:4  Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.

26:5  Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.

26:6  He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off his own feet, and drinketh damage.

26:7  The legs hang limp from the lame; so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

26:8  As a small stone in a heap of stones, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.

26:9  As a thorn that cometh into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

26:10  A master performeth all things; but he that stoppeth a fool is as one that stoppeth a flood.

26:11  As a dog that returneth to his vomit, so is a fool that repeateth his folly.

26:12  Seest thou a man wise in his own eyes? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

26:13  The sluggard saith: 'There is a lion in the way; yea, a lion is in the streets.'

26:14  The door is turning upon its hinges, and the sluggard is still upon his bed.

26:15  The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish; it wearieth him to bring it back to his mouth.

26:16  The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men that give wise answer.

26:17  He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife not his own, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.

26:18  As a madman who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death;

26:19  So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith: 'Am not I in sport?'

26:20  Where no wood is, the fire goeth out; and where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth.

26:21  As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.

26:22  The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the body.

26:23  Burning lips and a wicked heart are like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.

26:24  He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, but he layeth up deceit within him.

26:25  When he speaketh fair, believe him not; for there are seven abominations in his heart.

26:26  Though his hatred be concealed with deceit, his wickedness shall be revealed before the congregation.

26:27  Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein; and he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.

26:28  A lying tongue hateth those that are crushed by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.