26:1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, So honor is not seemly for a fool.
26:1 Like snow in summer and like rain in harvest, So honor is not fitting for a fool.

26:2 As the sparrow in her wandering, as the swallow in her flying, So the curse that is causeless alighteth not.
26:2 Like a sparrow in [its] flitting, like a swallow in [its] flying, So a curse without cause does not alight.

26:3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, And a rod for the back of fools.
26:3 A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, 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.
26:4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Lest you also be like him.

26:5 Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own conceit.
26:5 Answer a fool as his folly [deserves], 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 in damage.
26:6 He cuts off [his own] feet, [and] drinks violence Who sends a message by the hand of a fool.

26:7 The legs of the lame hang loose: So is a parable in the mouth of fools.
26:7 [Like] the legs [which] hang down from the lame, So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

26:8 As one that bindeth a stone in a sling, So is he that giveth honor to a fool.
26:8 Like one who binds a stone in a sling, So is he who gives honor to a fool.

26:9 (As) a thorn that goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, So is a parable in the mouth of fools.
26:9 [Like] a thorn [which] falls into the hand of a drunkard, So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

26:10 (As) an archer that woundeth all, So is he that hireth a fool and he that hireth them that pass by.
26:10 [Like] an archer who wounds everyone, So is he who hires a fool or who hires those who pass by.

26:11 As a dog that returneth to his vomit, (So is) a fool that repeateth his folly.
26:11 Like a dog that returns to its vomit Is a fool who repeats his folly.

26:12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him.
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 sluggard saith, There is a lion in the way; A lion is in the streets.
26:13 The sluggard says, "There is a lion in the road! A lion is in the open square!"

26:14 (As) the door turneth upon its hinges, So doth the sluggard upon his bed.
26:14 [As] the door turns on its hinges, So [does] the sluggard on his bed.

26:15 The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish; It wearieth him to bring it again to his mouth.
26:15 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; He is weary of bringing it to his mouth again.

26:16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit Than seven men that can render a reason.
26:16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes Than seven men who can give a discreet answer.

26:17 He that passeth by, (and) vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him, Is (like) one that taketh a dog by the ears.
26:17 [Like] one who takes a dog by the ears Is he who passes by [and] meddles with strife not belonging to him.

26:18 As a madman who casteth firebrands, Arrows, and death,
26:18 Like a madman who throws Firebrands, arrows and death,

26:19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbor, And saith, Am not I in sport?
26:19 So is the man who deceives his neighbor, And says, "Was I not joking?"

26:20 For lack of wood the fire goeth out; And where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth.
26:20 For lack of wood the fire goes out, And where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down.

26:21 (As) coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to inflame strife.
26:21 [Like] charcoal to hot embers 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.
26:22 The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts of the body.

26:23 Fervent lips and a wicked heart Are (like) an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.
26:23 [Like] an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross Are burning lips and a wicked heart.

26:24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips; But he layeth up deceit within him:
26:24 He who hates disguises [it] with his lips, But he lays up deceit in his heart.

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

26:26 Though (his) hatred cover itself with guile, His wickedness shall be openly showed before the assembly.
26:26 [Though his] hatred covers itself with guile, His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly.

26:27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein; And he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.
26:27 He who digs a pit will fall into it, And he who rolls a stone, it will come back on him.

26:28 A lying tongue hateth those whom it hath wounded; And a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
26:28 A lying tongue hates those it crushes, And a flattering mouth works ruin.