Add parallel Print Page Options

The foolishness of man subverts his way;
    his heart rages against Yahweh.

Read full chapter

When a man's folly (A)brings his way to ruin,
    his heart (B)rages against the Lord.

Read full chapter

It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife,
    but every fool will be quarreling.

Read full chapter

It is an honor for a man to (A)keep aloof from strife,
    but every fool will be quarreling.

Read full chapter

20 There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise;
    but a foolish man swallows it up.

Read full chapter

20 (A)Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man's dwelling,
    but a foolish man (B)devours it.

Read full chapter

15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child:
    the rod of discipline drives it far from him.

Read full chapter

15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child,
    but (A)the rod of discipline drives it far from him.

Read full chapter

26 Like snow in summer, and as rain in harvest,
    so honor is not fitting for a fool.
Like a fluttering sparrow,
    like a darting swallow,
    so the undeserved curse doesn’t come to rest.
A whip is for the horse,
    a bridle for the donkey,
    and a rod for the back of fools!
Don’t answer a fool according to his folly,
    lest you also be like him.
Answer a fool according to his folly,
    lest he be wise in his own eyes.
One who sends a message by the hand of a fool
    is cutting off feet and drinking violence.
Like the legs of the lame that hang loose,
    so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
As one who binds a stone in a sling,
    so is he who gives honor to a fool.
Like a thorn bush that goes into the hand of a drunkard,
    so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
10 As an archer who wounds all,
    so is he who hires a fool
    or he who hires those who pass by.
11 As a dog that returns to his vomit,
    so is a fool who repeats his folly.
12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes?
    There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Read full chapter

26 Like snow in summer or (A)rain in harvest,
    so (B)honor is (C)not fitting for a fool.
Like (D)a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying,
    (E)a curse that is causeless does not alight.
(F)A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,
    and (G)a rod for the back of fools.
(H)Answer not a fool according to his folly,
    lest you be like him yourself.
(I)Answer a fool according to his folly,
    lest he be (J)wise in his own eyes.
Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool
    cuts off his own feet and (K)drinks violence.
Like a lame man's legs, which hang useless,
    is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
Like one who binds the stone in the sling
    is (L)one who gives honor to a fool.
Like (M)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 (N)a dog that returns to his vomit
    is (O)a fool who repeats his folly.
12 Do you see a man who is (P)wise in his own eyes?
    (Q)There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 26:10 Or hires a fool or passersby

26 One who trusts in himself is a fool;
    but one who walks in wisdom is kept safe.

Read full chapter

26 Whoever (A)trusts in his own mind is a fool,
    but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.

Read full chapter

11 A fool vents all of his anger,
    but a wise man brings himself under control.

Read full chapter

11 A fool gives full vent to his spirit,
    but a wise man quietly holds it back.

Read full chapter

32 “If you have done foolishly in lifting up yourself,
    or if you have thought evil,
put your hand over your mouth.

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter