Proverbs 25:28-26:11

English Standard Version

²⁸ A man ^(A)without self-control
    is like ^(B)a city broken into and left without walls.
26 Like snow in summer or ^(C)rain in harvest,
    so ^(D)honor is ^(E)not fitting for a fool.
² Like ^(F)a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying,
    ^(G)a curse that is causeless does not alight.
^3 (H)A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,
    and ^(I)a rod for the back of fools.
^4 (J)Answer not a fool according to his folly,
    lest you be like him yourself.
^5 (K)Answer a fool according to his folly,
    lest he be ^(L)wise in his own eyes.
⁶ Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool
    cuts off his own feet and ^(M)drinks violence.
⁷ Like a lame man's legs, which hang useless,
    is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
⁸ Like one who binds the stone in the sling
    is ^(N)one who gives honor to a fool.
⁹ Like ^(O)a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard
    is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
¹⁰ Like an archer who wounds everyone
    is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard.^[a]
11 Like ^(P)a dog that returns to his vomit
    is ^(Q)a fool who repeats his folly.