[[Proverbs 25|<< Proverbs 25]] | [[Proverbs|Proverbs]] | [[Proverbs 27|Proverbs 27 >>]] ### Proverbs 26 1 AS snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honor is not seemly for a fool. ^1 2 As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come. ^2 3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back. ^3 4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. ^4 5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit. ^5 6 He that sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off the feet, _and_ drinks damage. ^6 7 The legs of the lame are not equal: so _is_ a parable in the mouth of fools. ^7 8 As he that binds a stone in a sling, so _is_ he that gives honor to a fool. ^8 9 _As_ a thorn goes up into the hand of a drunkard, so _is_ a parable in the mouth of fools. ^9 10 The great _God_ that formed all _things_ both rewards the fool, and rewards transgressors. ^10 11 As a dog returns to his vomit, _so_ a fool returns to his folly. ^11 12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? _there_ _is_ more hope of a fool than of him. ^12 13 The slothful _man_ saith, _There_ _is_ a lion in the way; a lion _is_ in the streets. ^13 14 _As_ the door turns upon his hinges, so _doth_ the slothful upon his bed. ^14 15 The slothful hides his hand in _his_ bosom; it grieves him to bring it again to his mouth. ^15 16 The sluggard _is_ wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason. ^16 17 He that passes by, _and_ meddles with strife _belonging_ not to him, _is_ _like_ one that takes a dog by the ears. ^17 18 As a mad _man_ who casts firebrands, arrows, and death, ^18 19 So _is_ the man _that_ deceives his neighbor, and says, Am not I in sport? ^19 20 Where no wood is, _there_ the fire goes out: so where _there_ _is_ no talebearer, the strife ceases. ^20 21 _As_ coals _are_ to burning coals, and wood to fire; so _is_ a contentious man to kindle strife. ^21 22 The words of a talebearer _are_ as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. ^22 23 Burning lips and a wicked heart _are_ _like_ a potsherd covered with silver dross. ^23 24 He that hates dissembles with his lips, and lays up deceit within him; ^24 25 When he speaks fair, believe him not: for _there_ _are_ seven abominations in his heart. ^25 26 _Whose_ hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be showed before the _whole_ congregation. ^26 27 Whoso digs a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolls a stone, it will return upon him. ^27 28 A lying tongue hates _those_ _that_ _are_ afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth works ruin. ^28