26 Like snow in summer and like ^(A)rain in harvest,
So honor is not ^(B)fitting for a fool.

³ A ^(A)whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,
And a ^(B)rod for the back of fools.
^4 (C)Do not answer a fool ^[a]according to his foolishness,
Or you will also be like him.
^5 (D)Answer a fool as his foolishness deserves,
So that he will not be ^(E)wise in his own eyes.
⁶ One who sends a message by the hand of a fool
Chops off his own feet and drinks violence.
⁷ Like ^[b]useless legs to one who cannot walk,
So is a proverb in the mouths of fools.
⁸ Like ^[c]one who binds a stone in a sling,
So is one who gives honor to a fool.
⁹ Like a thorn that ^[d]sticks in the hand of a heavy drinker,
So is a proverb in the mouths of fools.
^10 [e]Like an archer who wounds everyone,
So is one who hires a fool or hires those who pass by.
¹¹ Like ^(F)a dog that returns to its vomit,
So is a fool who ^(G)repeats ^[f]his foolishness.
¹² Do you see a person ^(H)wise in his own eyes?
^(I)There is more hope for a fool than for him.