1 Like snowfall in summer or rain at harvest time, so honor is inappropriate for a fool. ISV — Proverbs 26:1
2 Like a fluttering sparrow or a swallow in flight, a curse without cause will not alight. ISV — Proverbs 26:2
3 A whip is for the horses, a bridle is for the donkey, a rod is for the back of fools. ISV — Proverbs 26:3
4 Don’t answer a fool according to his foolishness, or you will be just like him. ISV — Proverbs 26:4
5 Answer a fool according to his foolishness, or he will think himself to be wise. ISV — Proverbs 26:5
6 Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own a26:6 The Heb. lacks his own feet and drinks violence. ISV — Proverbs 26:6
7 Useless legs to the lame— that’s what a proverb quoted by a fool is. ISV — Proverbs 26:7
8 Tying a stone to a sling— that’s what giving honor to a fool is. ISV — Proverbs 26:8
9 A thorn in the hand of a drunkard— that’s what a proverb quoted by a fool is. ISV — Proverbs 26:9
10 An archer who shoots at anyone— is like someone who hires a fool or anyone who passes by. ISV — Proverbs 26:10
11 A dog that returns to its vomit is like a fool who reverts to his folly. ISV — Proverbs 26:11
12 Do you see a man who is wise in his own opinion? There’s more hope for a fool than for him. ISV — Proverbs 26:12
13 The lazy person claims, “There is a lion in the road! There’s a lion in the streets!” ISV — Proverbs 26:13
14 The door turns on its hinges— as does the lazy person on his bed. ISV — Proverbs 26:14
15 The lazy person buries his hand in the dish, but he’s too tired to bring it to his mouth again. ISV — Proverbs 26:15
16 The lazy person is wiser in his own opinion than seven men who can give an appropriate response. ISV — Proverbs 26:16
17 Picking up a dog by the ears— that’s what someone is like who b26:17 Lit. who, as he is passing by, meddles in another’s fight. ISV — Proverbs 26:17
18 Like the maniac who shoots fiery darts and deadly arrows— ISV — Proverbs 26:18
19 that’s what someone is like who lies to his neighbor and then says, “I was joking, wasn’t I?” ISV — Proverbs 26:19
20 Without wood, the fire goes out. Without a gossip, contention stops. ISV — Proverbs 26:20
21 Charcoal is to hot coals as wood is to fire; so also a quarrelsome man fuels strife. ISV — Proverbs 26:21
22 The words of a gossip are like delicate morsels; they sink down deep within. ISV — Proverbs 26:22
23 A clay vessel plated with a thin veneer of silver— that’s what smooth c26:23 So LXX; MT reads burning lips with a wicked heart are. ISV — Proverbs 26:23
24 Someone who hates hides behind his words, harboring deceit within himself. ISV — Proverbs 26:24
25 Though he speaks graciously, don’t believe him, for there are seven detestable things in his heart. ISV — Proverbs 26:25
26 Though malice disguises itself with deception, its evil will be exposed publicly. ISV — Proverbs 26:26
27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and the stone will come back on whoever starts it rolling. ISV — Proverbs 26:27
28 A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth causes ruin. ISV — Proverbs 26:28