Proverbs Monthly
Chapter 26[a]
1 Like snow in summer, like rain in harvest,
honor for a fool is out of place.[b]
2 Like the sparrow in its flitting, like the swallow in its flight,
a curse uncalled-for never lands.[c]
3 The whip for the horse, the bridle for the ass,
and the rod for the back of fools.(A)
4 [d]Do not answer fools according to their folly,
lest you too become like them.
5 Answer fools according to their folly,
lest they become wise in their own eyes.
6 Those who send messages by a fool
cut off their feet; they drink down violence.
7 [e]A proverb in the mouth of a fool
hangs limp, like crippled legs.
8 Giving honor to a fool
is like entangling a stone in the sling.
9 A thorn stuck in the hand of a drunkard
is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
10 An archer wounding all who pass by
is anyone who hires a drunken fool.
11 As dogs return to their vomit,
so fools repeat their folly.(B)
12 You see those who are wise in their own eyes?
There is more hope for fools than for them.
13 [f]The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the street,
a lion in the middle of the square!”(C)
14 The door turns on its hinges
and sluggards, on their beds.
15 The sluggard buries a hand in the dish,
too weary to lift it to the mouth.(D)
16 In their own eyes sluggards are wiser
than seven who answer with good judgment.
17 Whoever meddles in the quarrel of another
is one who grabs a passing dog by the ears.
18 Like a crazed archer
scattering firebrands and deadly arrows,
19 Such are those who deceive their neighbor,
and then say, “I was only joking.”
20 [g]Without wood the fire dies out;
without a talebearer strife subsides.
21 Charcoal for coals, wood for fire—
such are the quarrelsome, enkindling strife.(E)
22 The words of a talebearer are like dainty morsels:
they sink into one’s inmost being.[h](F)
23 Like a glazed finish on earthenware
are smooth lips and a wicked heart.[i]
24 With their lips enemies pretend,
but inwardly they maintain deceit;
25 When they speak graciously, do not trust them,(G)
for seven abominations[j] are in their hearts.
26 Hatred can be concealed by pretense,
but malice will be revealed in the assembly.[k]
27 Whoever digs a pit falls into it;
and a stone comes back upon the one who rolls it.(H)
28 The lying tongue is its owner’s enemy,
and the flattering mouth works ruin.
Scripture texts, prefaces, introductions, footnotes and cross references used in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.