1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.
2 As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.
3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.
4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.
7 The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
8 As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
9 As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouths of fools.
10 The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.
11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.
12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
13 The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
14 As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
15 The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.
16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
17 He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
18 As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
22 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
23 Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.
27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
28 A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
1 As snow H7950 in summer, H7019 and as rain H4306 in harvest, H7105 so honour H3519 is not seemly H5000 for a fool. H3684
2 As the bird H6833 by wandering, H5110 as the swallow H1866 by flying, H5774 so the curse H7045 causeless H2600 shall not come. H935
3 A whip H7752 for the horse, H5483 a bridle H4964 for the ass, H2543 and a rod H7626 for the fool's H3684 back. H1460
4 Answer H6030 not a fool H3684 according to his folly, H200 lest thou also be like H7737 unto him.
5 Answer H6030 a fool H3684 according to his folly, H200 lest he be wise H2450 in his own conceit. H5869
6 He that sendeth H7971 a message H1697 by the hand H3027 of a fool H3684 cutteth off H7096 the feet, H7272 and drinketh H8354 damage. H2555
7 The legs H7785 of the lame H6455 are not equal: H1809 so is a parable H4912 in the mouth H6310 of fools. H3684
8 As he that bindeth H6872 H6887 a stone H68 in a sling, H4773 so is he that giveth H5414 honour H3519 to a fool. H3684
9 As a thorn H2336 goeth up H5927 into the hand H3027 of a drunkard, H7910 so is a parable H4912 in the mouth H6310 of fools. H3684
10 The great H7227 God that formed H2342 all things both rewardeth H7936 the fool, H3684 and rewardeth H7936 transgressors. H5674
11 As a dog H3611 returneth H7725 to his vomit, H6892 so a fool H3684 returneth H8138 to his folly. H200
12 Seest H7200 thou a man H376 wise H2450 in his own conceit? H5869 there is more hope H8615 of a fool H3684 than of him.
13 The slothful H6102 man saith, H559 There is a lion H7826 in the way; H1870 a lion H738 is in the streets. H7339
14 As the door H1817 turneth H5437 upon his hinges, H6735 so doth the slothful H6102 upon his bed. H4296
15 The slothful H6102 hideth H2934 his hand H3027 in his bosom; H6747 it grieveth H3811 him to bring it again H7725 to his mouth. H6310
16 The sluggard H6102 is wiser H2450 in his own conceit H5869 than seven men H7651 that can render H7725 a reason. H2940
17 He that passeth by, H5674 and meddleth H5674 with strife H7379 belonging not to him, is like one that taketh H2388 a dog H3611 by the ears. H241
18 As a mad H3856 man who casteth H3384 firebrands, H2131 arrows, H2671 and death, H4194
19 So is the man H376 that deceiveth H7411 his neighbour, H7453 and saith, H559 Am not I in sport? H7832
20 Where no H657 wood H6086 is, there the fire H784 goeth out: H3518 so where there is no talebearer, H5372 the strife H4066 ceaseth. H8367
21 As coals H6352 are to burning coals, H1513 and wood H6086 to fire; H784 so is a contentious H4079 H4066 man H376 to kindle H2787 strife. H7379
22 The words H1697 of a talebearer H5372 are as wounds, H3859 and they go down H3381 into the innermost parts H2315 of the belly. H990
23 Burning H1814 lips H8193 and a wicked H7451 heart H3820 are like a potsherd H2789 covered H6823 with silver H3701 dross. H5509
24 He that hateth H8130 dissembleth H5234 with his lips, H8193 and layeth up H7896 deceit H4820 within H7130 him;
25 When he speaketh H6963 fair, H2603 believe H539 him not: for there are seven H7651 abominations H8441 in his heart. H3820
26 Whose hatred H8135 is covered H3680 by deceit, H4860 his wickedness H7451 shall be shewed H1540 before the whole congregation. H6951
27 Whoso diggeth H3738 a pit H7845 shall fall H5307 therein: and he that rolleth H1556 a stone, H68 it will return H7725 upon him.
28 A lying H8267 tongue H3956 hateth H8130 those that are afflicted H1790 by it; and a flattering H2509 mouth H6310 worketh H6213 ruin. H4072
1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, So honor is not seemly for a fool.
2 As the sparrow in her wandering, as the swallow in her flying, So the curse that is causeless alighteth not.
3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, And a rod for the back of fools.
4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, Lest thou also be like unto him.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own conceit.
6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool Cutteth off `his own' feet, `and' drinketh in damage.
7 The legs of the lame hang loose: So is a parable in the mouth of fools.
8 As one that bindeth a stone in a sling, So is he that giveth honor to a fool.
9 `As' a thorn that goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, So is a parable in the mouth of fools.
10 `As' an archer that woundeth all, So is he that hireth a fool and he that hireth them that pass by.
11 As a dog that returneth to his vomit, `So is' a fool that repeateth his folly.
12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him.
13 The sluggard saith, There is a lion in the way; A lion is in the streets.
14 `As' the door turneth upon its hinges, So doth the sluggard upon his bed.
15 The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish; It wearieth him to bring it again to his mouth.
16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit Than seven men that can render a reason.
17 He that passeth by, `and' vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him, Is `like' one that taketh a dog by the ears.
18 As a madman who casteth firebrands, Arrows, and death,
19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbor, And saith, Am not I in sport?
20 For lack of wood the fire goeth out; And where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth.
21 `As' coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to inflame strife.
22 The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts.
23 Fervent lips and a wicked heart Are `like' an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.
24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips; But he layeth up deceit within him:
25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not; For there are seven abominations in his heart:
26 Though `his' hatred cover itself with guile, His wickedness shall be openly showed before the assembly.
27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein; And he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.
28 A lying tongue hateth those whom it hath wounded; And a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
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!
1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour beseemeth not a fool.
2 As the sparrow for flitting about, as the swallow for flying, so a curse undeserved shall not come.
3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the back of fools.
4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.
6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off [his own] feet, [and] drinketh damage.
7 The legs of the lame hang loose; so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
8 As a bag of gems in a stoneheap, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
9 [As] a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
10 A master roughly worketh every one: he both hireth the fool and hireth passers-by.
11 As a dog turneth back to its vomit, [so] a fool repeateth his folly.
12 Hast thou seen a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope of a fool than of him.
13 The sluggard saith, There is a fierce lion in the way; a lion is in the midst of the streets!
14 [As] the door turneth upon its hinges, so the sluggard upon his bed.
15 The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish: it wearieth him to bring it again to his mouth.
16 A sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven [men] that answer discreetly.
17 He that passing by vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him, is [like] one that taketh a dog by the ears.
18 As a madman who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
19 so is a man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am I not in sport?
20 Where no wood is, the fire goeth out; and where there is no talebearer, the contention ceaseth.
21 [As] coals for hot coals, and wood for fire, so is a contentious man to inflame strife.
22 The words of a talebearer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
23 Ardent lips, and a wicked heart, are [as] an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.
24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, but he layeth up deceit within him:
25 when his voice is gracious, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 Though [his] hatred is covered by dissimulation, his wickedness shall be made manifest in the congregation.
27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein; and he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.
28 A lying tongue hateth those that are injured by it, and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
1 Like snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, So honor is not fitting for a fool.
2 Like a fluttering sparrow, Like a darting swallow, So the undeserved curse doesn't come to rest.
3 A whip for the horse, A bridle for the donkey, And a rod for the back of fools!
4 Don't answer a fool according to his folly, Lest you also be like him.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes.
6 One who sends a message by the hand of a fool Is cutting off feet and drinking violence.
7 Like the legs of the lame that hang loose: So is a parable in the mouth of fools.
8 As one who binds a stone in a sling, So is he who gives honor to a fool.
9 Like a thornbush that goes into the hand of a drunkard, So is a parable in the mouth of fools.
10 As an archer who wounds all, So is he who hires a fool Or he who hires those who pass by.
11 As a dog that returns to his vomit, So is a fool who repeats his folly.
12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
13 The sluggard says, "There is a lion in the road! A fierce lion roams the streets!"
14 As the door turns on its hinges, So does the sluggard on his bed.
15 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish. He is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.
16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes Than seven men who answer with discretion.
17 Like one who grabs a dog's ears Is one who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own.
18 Like a madman who shoots firebrands, arrows, and death,
19 Is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, "Am I not joking?"
20 For lack of wood a fire goes out; Without gossip, a quarrel dies down.
21 As coals are to hot embers, And wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindling strife.
22 The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, They go down into the innermost parts.
23 Like silver dross on an earthen vessel Are the lips of a fervent one with an evil heart.
24 A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, But he harbors evil in his heart.
25 When his speech is charming, don't believe him; For there are seven abominations in his heart:
26 His malice may be concealed by deception, But his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
27 Whoever digs a pit shall fall into it. Whoever rolls a stone, it will come back on him.
28 A lying tongue hates those it hurts; And a flattering mouth works ruin.
1 Like snow in summer and rain when the grain is being cut, so honour is not natural for the foolish.
2 As the sparrow in her wandering and the swallow in her flight, so the curse does not come without a cause.
3 A whip for the horse, a mouth-bit for the ass, and a rod for the back of the foolish.
4 Do not give to the foolish man a foolish answer, or you will be like him.
5 Give a foolish man a foolish answer, or he will seem wise to himself.
6 He who sends news by the hand of a foolish man is cutting off his feet and drinking in damage.
7 The legs of one who has no power of walking are hanging loose; so is a wise saying in the mouth of the foolish.
8 Giving honour to a foolish man is like attempting to keep a stone fixed in a cord.
9 Like a thorn which goes up into the hand of a man overcome by drink, so is a wise saying in the mouth of a foolish man.
10 Like an archer wounding all who go by, is a foolish man overcome by drink.
11 Like a dog going back to the food which he has not been able to keep down, is the foolish man doing his foolish acts over again.
12 Have you seen a man who seems to himself to be wise? There is more hope for the foolish than for him.
13 The hater of work says, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
14 A door is turned on its pillar, and the hater of work on his bed.
15 The hater of work puts his hand deep into the basin: lifting it again to his mouth is a weariness to him.
16 The hater of work seems to himself wiser than seven men who are able to give an answer with good sense.
17 He who gets mixed up in a fight which is not his business, is like one who takes a dog by the ears while it is going by.
18 As one who is off his head sends about flaming sticks and arrows of death,
19 So is the man who gets the better of his neighbour by deceit, and says, Am I not doing so in sport?
20 Without wood, the fire goes out; and where there is no secret talk, argument is ended.
21 Like breath on coals and wood on fire, so a man given to argument gets a fight started.
22 The words of one who says evil of his neighbour secretly are like sweet food, they go down into the inner parts of the stomach.
23 Smooth lips and an evil heart are like a vessel of earth plated with silver waste.
24 With his lips the hater makes things seem what they are not, but deceit is stored up inside him;
25 When he says fair words, have no belief in him; for in his heart are seven evils:
26 Though his hate is covered with deceit, his sin will be seen openly before the meeting of the people.
27 He who makes a hole in the earth will himself go falling into it: and on him by whom a stone is rolled the stone will come back again.
28 A false tongue has hate for those who have clean hearts, and a smooth mouth is a cause of falling.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Proverbs 26
Commentary on Proverbs 26 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 26
Pr 26:1-28.
1. The incongruities of nature illustrate also those of the moral world. The fool's unworthiness is also implied (Pr 17:7; 19:10).
2. Though not obvious to us,
the bird—literally, "sparrow"—and
swallow—have an object in their motions, so penal evil falls on none without a reason.
3. The rod is as much needed by fools and as well suited to them, as whips and bridles are for beasts.
4, 5. Answer not—that is, approvingly by like folly.
5. Answer—by reproof.
6. A fool fails by folly as surely as if he were maimed.
drinketh damage—that is, gets it abundantly (Job 15:16; 34:7).
7. legs … equal—or, "take away the legs," or "the legs … are weak." In any case the idea is that they are the occasion of an awkwardness, such as the fool shows in using a parable or proverb (see Introduction; Pr 17:7).
8. A stone, bound in a sling, is useless; so honor, conferred on a fool, is thrown away.
9. As vexatious and unmanageable as a thorn in a drunkard's hand is a parable to a fool. He will be as apt to misuse is as to use it rightly.
10. Various versions of this are proposed (compare Margin). Better perhaps—"Much He injures (or literally, "wounds") all who reward," &c., that is, society is injured by encouraging evil men.
transgressors—may be rendered "vagrants." The word "God" is improperly supplied.
11. returneth … folly—Though disgusting to others, the fool delights in his folly.
12. The self-conceited are taught with more difficulty than the stupid.
13. (Compare Pr 22:13).
14. (Compare Pr 6:10; 24:33).
15. (Compare Pr 19:24).
16. The thoughtless being ignorant of their ignorance are conceited.
17. meddleth—as in Pr 20:19; 24:21; as either holding a dog by the ears or letting him go involves danger, so success in another man's strife or failure involves a useless risk of reputation, does no good, and may do us harm.
18, 19. Such are reckless of results.
20, 21. The talebearers foster (Pr 16:28), and the contentious excite, strife.
22. (Compare Pr 18:8).
23. Warm professions can no more give value to insincerity than silver coating to rude earthenware.
24. dissembleth—though an unusual sense of the word (compare Margin), is allowable, and better suits the context, which sets forth hypocrisy.
25. Sentiment of Pr 26:24 carried out.
seven abominations in his heart—that is, very many (compare Pr 24:16).
26, 27. Deceit will at last be exposed, and the wicked by their own arts often bring on retribution (compare Pr 12:13; Ps 7:16; 9:17, &c.).
28. Men hate those they injure.
A lying tongue—"lips" for the persons (compare Pr 4:24; Ps 12:3).