Proverbs 26

DOUAI-RHEIMS	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 As snow in summer, and rain in harvest, so glory is not seemly for a fool.	1 Like snow in summer, or rain in harvest, honor for a fool is out of place.
2 As a bird flying to other places, and a sparrow going here or there: so a curse uttered without cause shall come upon a man.	2 Like the sparrow in its flitting, like the swallow in its flight, a curse uncalled-for arrives nowhere.
3 A whip for a horse, and a snaffle for an ass, and a rod for the back of fools.	3 The whip for the horse, the bridle for the ass, and the rod for the back of fools.
4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou be made like him.	4 Answer not the fool according to his folly, lest you too become like him.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he imagine himself to be wise.	5 Answer the fool according to his folly, lest he become wise in his own eyes.
6 He that sendeth words by a foolish messenger, is lame of feet and drinketh iniquity.	6 He cuts off his feet, he drinks down violence, who sends messages by a fool.
7 As a lame man hath fair legs in vain: so a parable is unseemly in the mouth of fools.	7 A proverb in the mouth of a fool hangs limp, like crippled legs.
8 As he that casteth a stone into the heap of Mercury: so is he that giveth honour to a fool.	8 Like one who entangles the stone in the sling is he who gives honor to a fool.
9 As if a thorn should grow in the hand of a drunkard: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.	9 Like a thorn stick brandished by the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
10 Judgment determineth causes: and he that putteth a fool to silence, appeaseth anger.	10 Like an archer wounding all who pass by is he who hires a drunken fool.
11 As a dog that returneth to his vomit, so is the fool that repeateth his folly.	11 As the dog returns to his vomit, so the fool repeats his folly.
12 Hast thou seen a man wise in his own conceit? there shall be more hope of a fool than of him.	12 You see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
13 The slothful man saith: There is a lion in the way, and a lioness in the roads.	13 The sluggard says, "There is a lion in the street, a lion in the middle of the square!"
14 As the door turneth upon its hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.	14 The door turns on its hinges, the sluggard, on his bed!
15 The slothful hideth his hand under his armpit, and it grieveth him to turn it to his mouth.	15 The sluggard loses his hand in the dish; he is too weary to lift it to his mouth.
16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit, than seven men that speak sentences.	16 The sluggard imagines himself wiser than seven men who answer with good sense.
17 As he that taketh a dog by the ears, so is he that passeth by in anger, and meddleth with another man's quarrel.	17 Like the man who seizes a passing dog by the ears is he who meddles in a quarrel not his own.
18 As he is guilty that shooteth arrows, and lances unto death :	18 Like a crazed archer scattering firebrands and deadly arrows
19 So is the man that hurteth his friend deceitfully: and when he is taken, saith: I did it in jest.	19 Is the man who deceives his neighbor, and then says, "I was only joking."
20 When the wood faileth, the fire shall go out: and when the talebearer is taken away, contentions shall cease.	20 For lack of wood, the fire dies out; and when there is no talebearer, strife subsides.
21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire, so an angry man stirreth up strife.	21 What a bellows is to live coals, what wood is to fire, such is a contentious man in enkindling strife.
22 The words of a talebearer are as it were simple, but they reach to the innermost parts of the belly.	22 The words of a talebearer are like dainty morsels that sink into one's inmost being.
23 Swelling lips joined with a corrupt heart, are like an earthen vessel adorned with silver dross.	23 Like a glazed finish on earthenware are smooth lips with a wicked heart.
24 An enemy is known by his lips, when in his heart he entertaineth deceit.	24 With his lips an enemy pretends, but in his inmost being he maintains deceit;
25 When he shall speak low, trust him not: because there are seven mischiefs in his heart.	25 When he speaks graciously, trust him not, for seven abominations are in his heart.
26 He that covereth hatred deceitfully, his malice shall be laid open in the public assembly.	26 A man may conceal hatred under dissimulation, but his malice will be revealed in the assembly.
27 He that diggeth a pit, shall fall into it: and he that rolleth a stone, it shall return to him.	27 He who digs a pit falls into it; and a stone comes back upon him who rolls it.
28 A deceitful tongue loveth not truth: and a slippery mouth worketh ruin.	28 The lying tongue is its owner's enemy, and the flattering mouth works ruin.