MKJV - Proverbs - 26

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

26:2  As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse without cause shall not come.

26:3  A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.

26:4  Do not answer a fool according to his foolishness, lest you also be like him.

26:5  Answer a fool according to his foolishness, so that he may not be wise in his own eyes.

26:6  He who sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off the feet and drinks down damage.

26:7  The legs of the lame are not equal; so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

26:8  As he who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honor to a fool.

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

26:10  Great is the Former of all, but he who hires a fool is like one who hires one passing by.

26:11  As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool returns to his folly.

26:12  Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

26:13  The lazy one says, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.

26:14  As the door turns upon its hinges, so does the lazy man turn upon his bed.

26:15  The lazy man hides his hand in his bosom; it grieves him to bring it again to his mouth.

26:16  The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can give a reason.

26:17  He who passes by enraging himself over strife not his own is like one who takes a dog by the ears,

26:18  or like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death.

26:19  so is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, Am I not joking.

26:20  Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; and where there is no talebearer, the fighting ceases.

26:21  As coals to burning coals, and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man to kindle fighting.

26:22  The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

26:23  Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a broken piece of pottery with silver waste.

26:24  He who hates pretends with his lips and stores up deceit within him.

26:25  When he makes his voice gracious, do not believe him; for seven hateful things are in his heart.

26:26  He whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shown before the congregation.

26:27  Whoever digs a pit shall fall into it; and he who rolls a stone, it will return on him.

26:28  A lying tongue hates those afflicted by it, and a flattering mouth works ruin.