Proverbs 26

^{Verse 1}As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool. ^{Verse 2}As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come. ^{Verse 3}A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back. ^{Verse 4}Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. ^{Verse 5}Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit. ^{Verse 6}He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage. ^{Verse 7}The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools. ^{Verse 8}As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool. ^{Verse 9}As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools. ^{Verse 10}The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors. ^{Verse 11}As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly. ^{Verse 12}Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him. ^{Verse 13}The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets. ^{Verse 14}As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed. ^{Verse 15}The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth. ^{Verse 16}The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason. ^{Verse 17}He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears. ^{Verse 18}As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death, ^{Verse 19}So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport? ^{Verse 20}Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. ^{Verse 21}As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife. ^{Verse 22}The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. ^{Verse 23}Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross. ^{Verse 24}He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him; ^{Verse 25}When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart. ^{Verse 26}Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation. ^{Verse 27}Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him. ^{Verse 28}A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.