Proverbs Monthly
26 Like snow in summer and like rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a [self-confident] fool.(A)
2 Like the sparrow in her wandering, like the swallow in her flying, so the causeless curse does not alight.(B)
3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a [straight, slender] rod for the backs of [self-confident] fools.
4 Answer not a [self-confident] fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him.
5 Answer a [self-confident] fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes and conceit.(C)
6 He who sends a message by the hand of a [a]fool cuts off the feet [of satisfactory delivery] and drinks the damage.(D)
7 Like the legs of a lame man which hang loose, so is a parable in the mouth of a fool.
8 Like he who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honor to a [self-confident] fool.
9 Like a thorn that goes [without being felt] into the hand of a drunken man, so is a proverb in the mouth of a [self-confident] fool.
10 [But] like an archer who wounds all, so is he who hires a fool or chance passers-by.
11 As a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool returns to his folly.
12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes and conceit? There is more hope for a [self-confident] fool than for him.(E)
13 The sluggard says, There is a lion in the way! A lion is in the streets!(F)
14 As the door turns on its hinges, so does the lazy man [move not from his place] upon his bed.
15 The slothful and self-indulgent buries his hand in his bosom; it distresses and wearies him to bring it again to his mouth.(G)
16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes and conceit than seven men who can render a reason and answer discreetly.
17 He who, passing by, stops to meddle with strife that is none of his business is like one who takes a dog by the ears.
18 Like a madman who casts firebrands, arrows, and death,
19 So is the man who deceives his neighbor and then says, Was I not joking?(H)
20 For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, contention ceases.
21 As coals are to hot embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man to inflame strife.(I)
22 The words of a whisperer or slanderer are like dainty morsels or words of sport [to some, but to others are like deadly wounds]; and they go down into the innermost parts of the body [or of the victim’s nature].
23 Burning lips [uttering insincere words of love] and a wicked heart are like an earthen vessel covered with the scum thrown off from molten silver [making it appear to be solid silver].
24 He who hates pretends with his lips, but stores up deceit within himself.
25 When he speaks kindly, do not trust him, for seven abominations are in his heart.
26 Though his hatred covers itself with guile, his wickedness shall be shown openly before the assembly.
27 Whoever digs a pit [for another man’s feet] shall fall into it himself, and he who rolls a stone [up a height to do mischief], it will return upon him.(J)
28 A lying tongue hates those it wounds and crushes, and a flattering mouth works ruin.
27 Do not boast of [yourself and] tomorrow, for you know not what a day may bring forth.(K)
2 Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.
3 Stone is heavy and sand weighty, but a fool’s [unreasoning] wrath is heavier and more intolerable than both of them.
4 Wrath is cruel and anger is an overwhelming flood, but who is able to stand before jealousy?
5 Open rebuke is better than love that is hidden.(L)
6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are lavish and deceitful.
7 He who is satiated [with sensual pleasures] loathes and treads underfoot a honeycomb, but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.
8 Like a bird that wanders from her nest, so is a man who strays from his home.
9 Oil and perfume rejoice the heart; so does the sweetness of a friend’s counsel that comes from the heart.
10 Your own friend and your father’s friend, forsake them not; neither go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity. Better is a neighbor who is near [in spirit] than a brother who is far off [in heart].
11 My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him who reproaches me [as having failed in my parental duty].(M)
12 A prudent man sees the evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and are punished [with suffering].
13 [The judge tells the creditor] Take the garment of one who is security for a stranger; and hold him in pledge when he is security for foreigners.(N)
14 The flatterer who loudly praises and glorifies his neighbor, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted as cursing him [for he will be suspected of sinister purposes].
15 A continual dripping on a day of violent showers and a contentious woman are alike;(O)
16 Whoever attempts to restrain [a contentious woman] might as well try to stop the wind—his right hand encounters oil [and she slips through his fingers].
17 Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend [to show rage or worthy purpose].
18 Whoever tends the fig tree shall eat its fruit; so he who patiently and faithfully guards and heeds his master shall be honored.(P)
19 As in water face answers to and reflects face, so the heart of man to man.
20 Sheol (the place of the dead) and Abaddon (the place of destruction) are never satisfied; so [the lust of] the eyes of man is never satisfied.(Q)
21 As the refining pot for silver and the furnace for gold [bring forth all the impurities of the metal], so let a man be in his trial of praise [ridding himself of all that is base or insincere; for a man is judged by what he praises and of what he boasts].
22 Even though like grain you should pound a fool in a mortar with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him.
23 Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, and look well to your herds;
24 For riches are not forever; does a crown endure to all generations?
25 When the hay is gone, the tender grass shows itself, and herbs of the mountain are gathered in,
26 The lambs will be for your clothing, and the goats [will furnish you] the price of a field.
27 And there will be goats’ milk enough for your food, for the food of your household, and for the maintenance of your maids.
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