Proverbs Chapter 26

From The Open Bible Project

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

26:2 Like a fluttering sparrow, like a darting swallow, so the undeserved curse doesn't come to rest.

26:3 A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools!

26:4 Don't answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him.

• (a) Consent not to him in his doings.

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

• (b) Reprove him as the matter requires.

26:6 One who sends a message by the hand of a fool is cutting off feet and drinking violence.

• (c) That is, of the messenger whom he sends.
• (d) That is, receives damage by it.

26:7 Like the legs of the lame that hang loose: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

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

26:9 Like a thornbush that goes into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

• (e) By which he hurts both himself and others.

26:10 As an archer who wounds all, so is he who hires a fool or he who hires those who pass by.

• (f) Meaning God.

26:11 As a dog that returns to his vomit, so is a fool who repeats his folly.

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

• (g) For the fool would rather be counselled than he: also the fool sins out of ignorance, and the other out of malice.

26:13 The sluggard says, "There is a lion in the road! A fierce lion roams the streets!"

• (h) Read (Proverbs 22:13).

26:14 As the door turns on its hinges, so does the sluggard on his bed.

26:15 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish. He is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.

26:16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer with discretion.

26:17 Like one who grabs a dog's ears is one who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own.

26:18 Like a madman who shoots torches, arrows, and death,

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

• (i) Who disguises himself to be that which he is not.

26:20 For lack of wood a fire goes out. Without gossip, a quarrel dies down.

26:21 As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindling strife.

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

26:23 Like silver dross on an earthen vessel are the lips of a fervent one with an evil heart.

• (k) They will soon break out and utter themselves.

26:24 A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, but he harbors evil in his heart.

26:25 When his speech is charming, don't believe him; for there are seven abominations in his heart.

• (l) Meaning many: he uses a certain number for the uncertain.

26:26 His malice may be concealed by deception, but his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.

• (m) In the assembly of the godly.

26:27 Whoever digs a pit shall fall into it. Whoever rolls a stone, it will come back on him.

26:28 A lying tongue hates those it hurts; and a flattering mouth works ruin.