Proverbs Monthly
Folly of Fools
26 Like snow in summer or rain at harvest,
so honor is not fitting for a fool.
2 Like a fluttering sparrow or a flying swallow,
so an undeserved curse does not land.
3 A whip for a horse, a bridle for a donkey,
and a rod for the back of fools.
4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly,
else you also will be like him.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly,
else he will be wise in his own eyes.
6 Like cutting off one’s feet or drinking violence
is sending a message by a fool’s hand.
7 Like a lame man’s legs that hang limp,
so is a proverb in a fool’s mouth.
8 Like tying a stone into a sling,
so is giving honor to a fool.
9 Like a thorn bush in a drunkard’s hand
is a proverb in a fool’s mouth.
10 Like an archer who wounds at random
is one who hires a fool or any passer-by.
11 Like a dog that returns to its vomit,
so a fool repeats his folly.[a]
12 Do you see one wise in his own eyes?
There is more hope for a fool than him.
Folly of Slackers
13 A slacker says,
“There’s a lion on the road!
A lion is in the streets!”
14 As a door turns on its hinges
so a slacker turns on his bed.
15 The slacker plunges his hand in the dish—
he is too tired to bring it back to his mouth.
16 A slacker is wiser in his own eyes
than seven people who answer sensibly.
Folly of Lashon Ha-Ra
17 Like one who takes a dog by the ears
is a passer-by who meddles in a quarrel not his own.
18 Like a madman shooting firebrands and deadly arrows
19 so is one who deceives his friend, and says, “I was only joking.”
20 Without wood a fire goes out;
without gossip quarrels cease.
21 As coals are to embers and wood to fire,
so is a contentious person to kindling strife.
22 A gossip’s words are like tasty morsels—
they slide down into the innermost parts of the body.
23 Like silver glaze overlaying earthenware
are fervent[b] lips with an evil heart.
24 One who hates, disguises it with his lips,
but he stores up deceit within him.
25 When he speaks favorably, do not believe him,
for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 Though his hatred may be concealed
by deceit, his evil will be exposed before the assembly.
27 Whoever digs a pit will fall in it,
and whoever rolls a stone—it will come back upon him.
28 A lying tongue hates those crushed by it,
and a flattering mouth causes ruin.
Do Not Boast
27 Do not boast about tomorrow,
for you do not know what a day may bring.[c]
2 Let another praise you and not your own mouth,
a stranger and not your own lips.
3 A stone is heavy and sand a burden,
but provocation by a fool is heavier than both.
4 Wrath is cruel and anger is overwhelming,
but who can stand before jealousy?
5 Better is open rebuke than hidden love.
6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend,
but excessive the kisses of an enemy.
7 One who is full loathes honeycomb,
but to one who is hungry every bitter thing is sweet.
8 Like a bird that strays from its nest
is a man that wanders from his home.
Iron Sharpens Iron
9 As ointment and perfume gladden the heart,
so the sweetness of one’s friend comes from his sincere counsel.
10 Do not forsake your friend, or your father’s friend,
nor go to your brother’s house in the day of your disaster—
better a neighbor nearby than a brother far off.
11 Be wise, my son, make my heart glad,
so I may answer anyone who taunts me.
12 The prudent see danger and hide,
but the naïve keep going and pay the penalty.
13 Take a man’s garment, who puts up security for a stranger,
and hold it in pledge, as security for a seductive woman.
14 If someone blesses his friend with a loud voice early in the morning,
it will be taken as a curse.
15 Continual dripping on a day of steady rain
and a contentious wife are alike—
16 hiding her is like hiding the wind or grasping oil with the right hand.
17 As iron sharpens iron,
so a person sharpens the countenance of his friend.
18 Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit,
whoever takes care of his master will be honored.
19 As water reflects the face,
so a person’s heart reflects the person.
20 Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied,
and neither are the eyes of man.
21 A crucible is for silver and a furnace is for gold,
but a person is proved by the praise he receives.
22 Even if you pound the fool along with the grain in a mortar with a pestle,
his foolishness would never leave him.
23 Know well the condition of your flocks,
pay attention to your herds,
24 for riches are not forever,
nor a crown from generation to generation.
25 When hay is removed and grass appears,
and grain from the hills is gathered in,
26 lambs will provide you with clothing,
and goats with the price of a field.
27 There will be enough goats’ milk for food
and food for your household,
and sustenance for your maidservants.
Tree of Life (TLV) Translation of the Bible. Copyright © 2015 by The Messianic Jewish Family Bible Society.