| Chapter 26 |
1 |
As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, So honour is not comely for a fool. |
2 |
As a bird by wandering, as a swallow by flying, So reviling without cause doth not come. |
3 |
A whip is for a horse, a bridle for an ass, And a rod for the back of fools. |
4 |
Answer not a fool according to his folly, Lest thou be like to him -- even thou. |
5 |
Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes. |
6 |
He is cutting off feet, he is drinking injury, Who is sending things by the hand of a fool. |
7 |
Weak have been the two legs of the lame, And a parable in the mouth of fools. |
8 |
As one who is binding a stone in a sling, So is he who is giving honour to a fool. |
9 |
A thorn hath gone up into the hand of a drunkard, And a parable in the mouth of fools. |
10 |
Great is the Former of all, And He is rewarding a fool, And is rewarding transgressors. |
11 |
As a dog hath returned to its vomit, A fool is repeating his folly. |
12 |
Thou hast seen a man wise in his own eyes, More hope of a fool than of him! |
13 |
The slothful hath said, `A lion is in the way, A lion is in the broad places.` |
14 |
The door turneth round on its hinge, And the slothful on his bed. |
15 |
The slothful hath hid his hand in a dish, He is weary of bringing it back to his mouth. |
16 |
Wiser is the slothful in his own eyes, Than seven men returning a reason. |
17 |
Laying hold on the ears of a dog, Is a passer-by making himself wrath for strife not his own. |
18 |
As one pretending to be feeble, Who is casting sparks, arrows, and death, |
19 |
So hath a man deceived his neighbour, And hath said, `Am not I playing?` |
20 |
Without wood is fire going out, And without a tale-bearer, contention ceaseth, |
21 |
Coal to burning coals, and wood to fire, And a man of contentions to kindle strife. |
22 |
The words of a tale-bearer are as self-inflicted wounds, And they have gone down to the inner parts of the heart. |
23 |
Silver of dross spread over potsherd, Are burning lips and an evil heart. |
24 |
By his lips doth a hater dissemble, And in his heart he placeth deceit, |
25 |
When his voice is gracious trust not in him, For seven abominations are in his heart. |
26 |
Hatred is covered by deceit, Revealed is its wickedness in an assembly. |
27 |
Whoso is digging a pit falleth into it, And the roller of a stone, to him it turneth. |
28 |
A lying tongue hateth its bruised ones, And a flattering mouth worketh an overthrow! |