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The foolishness of man undermines his way [ruining whatever he undertakes];
Then his heart is resentful and rages against the Lord [for, being a fool, he blames the Lord instead of himself].

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The (A)foolishness of a person ruins his way,
And his heart (B)rages against the Lord.

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It is an honor for a man to keep away from strife [by handling situations with thoughtful foresight],
But any fool will [start a] quarrel [without regard for the consequences].

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(A)Avoiding strife is an honor for a person,
But any fool will [a]quarrel.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 20:3 Lit burst out

20 
There is precious treasure and oil in the house of the wise [who prepare for the future],
But a short-sighted and foolish man swallows it up and wastes it.

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20 There is precious (A)treasure and oil in the home of the wise,
But a foolish person (B)swallows it up.

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15 
Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child;
The rod of discipline [correction administered with godly wisdom and lovingkindness] will remove it far from him.

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15 Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child;
The (A)rod of discipline will remove it far from him.

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Similitudes, Instructions

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

Like the sparrow in her wandering, like the swallow in her flying,
So the curse without cause does not come and alight [on the undeserving].(B)

A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,
And a rod for the backs of fools [who refuse to learn].

Do not answer [nor pretend to agree with the frivolous comments of] a [closed-minded] fool according to his folly,
Otherwise you, even you, will be like him.

Answer [and correct the erroneous concepts of] a fool according to his folly,
Otherwise he will be wise in his own eyes [if he thinks you agree with him].(C)

He who sends a message by the hand of a fool
Cuts off his own feet (sabotages himself) and drinks the violence [it brings on himself as a consequence].(D)

Like the legs which are useless to the lame,
So is a proverb in the mouth of a fool [who cannot learn from its wisdom].

Like one who [absurdly] binds a stone in a sling [making it impossible to throw],
So is he who [absurdly] gives honor to a fool.

Like a thorn that goes [without being felt] into the hand of a drunken man,
So is a proverb in the mouth of a fool [who remains unaffected by its wisdom].
10 
Like a [careless] archer who [shoots arrows wildly and] wounds everyone,
So is he who hires a fool or those who [by chance just] pass by.
11 
Like a dog that returns to his vomit
Is a fool who repeats his foolishness.
12 
Do you see a man [who is unteachable and] wise in his own eyes and full of self-conceit?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.(E)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 26:1 See note 1:7.

Similitudes and Instructions

26 Like snow in summer and like (A)rain in harvest,
So honor is not (B)fitting for a fool.
Like a (C)sparrow in its [a]flitting, like a swallow in its flying,
So a (D)curse without cause does not come to rest.
A (E)whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,
And a (F)rod for the back of fools.
(G)Do not answer a fool [b]according to his foolishness,
Or you will also be like him.
(H)Answer a fool as his foolishness deserves,
So that he will not be (I)wise in his own eyes.
One who sends a message by the hand of a fool
Chops off his own feet and drinks violence.
Like [c]useless legs to one who cannot walk,
So is a proverb in the mouths of fools.
Like [d]one who binds a stone in a sling,
So is one who gives honor to a fool.
Like a thorn that [e]sticks in the hand of a heavy drinker,
So is a proverb in the mouths of fools.
10 [f]Like an archer who wounds everyone,
So is one who hires a fool or hires those who pass by.
11 Like (J)a dog that returns to its vomit,
So is a fool who (K)repeats [g]his foolishness.
12 Do you see a person (L)wise in his own eyes?
(M)There is more hope for a fool than for him.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 26:2 Lit wandering
  2. Proverbs 26:4 I.e., taking his question or argument seriously
  3. Proverbs 26:7 Lit legs that dangle from one paralyzed
  4. Proverbs 26:8 Lit the binding of
  5. Proverbs 26:9 Lit goes up
  6. Proverbs 26:10 Or A master workman produces all things, But one who hires a fool is like one who hires those who pass by
  7. Proverbs 26:11 Lit with his

26 
He who trusts confidently in his own heart is a [dull, thickheaded] fool,
But he who walks in [skillful and godly] wisdom will be rescued.(A)

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26 One who (A)trusts in his own heart is a fool,
But one who walks wisely will flee to safety.

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11 
A [shortsighted] fool always loses his temper and displays his anger,
But a wise man [uses self-control and] holds it back.

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11 A (A)fool [a]always loses his temper,
But a (B)wise person holds it back.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 29:11 Lit sends forth all his spirit

32 
If you have foolishly exalted yourself,
Or if you have plotted evil, put your hand on your mouth.(A)

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32 If you have been foolish in exalting yourself,
Or if you have plotted evil, (A)put your hand on your mouth.

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