^26:1 As snow in summer and as rain in harvest, so honor is not becoming for a fool.

    ^26:2 As the sparrow in her wandering, as the swallow in her flying, so the curse that is causeless does not come.

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

    ^26:4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like to him. ^26:5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he is wise in his own conceit.

    ^26:6 He who sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off the feet and drinks injury.

    ^26:7 The legs of a lame man hang loose. So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

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

    ^26:9 As a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

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

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

    ^26:12 See a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope for a fool than of him.

    ^26:13 The sluggard says, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.

    ^26:14 The door turns upon its hinges, so does the sluggard upon his bed.

    ^26:15 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish. It wearies him to bring it again to his mouth.

    ^26:16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men who can render a reason.

    ^26:17 He who passes by and meddles with strife not his, is like he who takes a dog by the ears.

    ^26:18 As a madman who casts firebrands, arrows and death, ^26:19 so is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, Am I not amusing?

    ^26:20 For lack of wood the fire goes out and where there is no whisperer, contention ceases.

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

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

    ^26:23 Fervent lips and a wicked heart are an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.

    ^26:24 He who hates masquerades with his lips, but he lays up deceit within him. ^26:25 Because he speaks graciously, do not believe him, for there are seven abominations in his heart.

    ^26:26 Though his hatred cover itself with guile, his wickedness will be openly shown before the assembly.

    ^26:27 He who digs a pit will fall in it and he who rolls a stone, it will return upon him.

    ^26:28 A lying tongue hates those whom it has wounded and a flattering mouth works ruin.