Add parallel Print Page Options

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

Read full chapter

Assorted Fools

26 Like snow during summer and rain during the harvest,
so honor is not appropriate for a fool.

Read full chapter

A (A)whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,
And a (B)rod for the back of fools.
(C)Do not answer a fool according to his folly,
Lest you yourself also be like him.
(D)Answer a fool according to his folly,
Lest he be (E)wise in his own eyes.
He cuts off his own feet and drinks violence
Who sends words by the hand of a fool.
Like the legs which hang limp on the lame,
So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
Like [a]one who binds a stone in a sling,
So is he who gives glory to a fool.
Like a thorn which goes up into the hand of a drunkard,
So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
10 [b]Like an archer who wounds everyone,
So is he who hires a fool or who hires those who pass by.
11 Like (F)a dog that returns to its vomit
Is a fool who (G)repeats [c]his folly.
12 Do you see a man (H)wise in his own eyes?
(I)There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 26:8 Lit the binding of
  2. Proverbs 26:10 Or A master workman produces all things, But he who hires a fool is like one who hires those who pass by
  3. Proverbs 26:11 Lit with his

A whip is for horses, a bridle for donkeys,
and a rod for the backs of fools.

Do not answer a fool according to his folly.
If you do, you yourself will become like him.
Answer a fool according to his folly.
If you do not, he will consider himself wise.

It is like cutting off your own feet or drinking violence[a]
when a person sends messages in the hand of a fool.
The legs of a lame person dangle.
So does a proverb in the mouth of fools.
Giving honor to a fool is
    like tying a stone in a slingshot.
A proverb in the mouth of a fool
    is like a thorn in a drunkard’s hand.
10 One who hires a fool or someone just passing by
    is like an archer who wounds at random.[b]
11 As a dog returns to his vomit,
so a fool repeats his stupidity.
12 Have you seen a person who is wise in his own eyes?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 26:6 Or poison
  2. Proverbs 26:10 The meaning of this verse is uncertain.