Proverbs 26:1-16

New International Version

26 Like snow in summer or rain^(A) in harvest,
    honor is not fitting for a fool.^(B)
2 Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow,
    an undeserved curse does not come to rest.^(C)
3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,^(D)
    and a rod for the backs of fools!^(E)
4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly,
    or you yourself will be just like him.^(F)
5 Answer a fool according to his folly,
    or he will be wise in his own eyes.^(G)
6 Sending a message by the hands of a fool^(H)
    is like cutting off one’s feet or drinking poison.
⁷ Like the useless legs of one who is lame
    is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.^(I)
8 Like tying a stone in a sling
    is the giving of honor to a fool.^(J)
9 Like a thornbush in a drunkard’s hand
    is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.^(K)
10 Like an archer who wounds at random
    is one who hires a fool or any passer-by.
¹¹ As a dog returns to its vomit,^(L)
    so fools repeat their folly.^(M)
12 Do you see a person wise in their own eyes?^(N)
    There is more hope for a fool than for them.^(O)