Proverbs 26

DOUAI-RHEIMS	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 As snow in summer, and rain in harvest, so glory is not seemly for a fool.	1 In the manner of snow in the summer, and rain at the harvest, so also is glory unfit for the foolish.
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 a bird flying away to another place, and like a sparrow that hurries away freely, so also a curse uttered against someone without cause will pass away.
3 A whip for a horse, and a snaffle for an ass, and a rod for the back of fools.	3 A whip is for a horse, and a muzzle is for donkey, and a rod is for the back of the imprudent.
4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou be made like him.	4 Do not respond to the foolish according to his folly, lest you become like him.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he imagine himself to be wise.	5 Respond to the foolish according to his folly, lest he imagine himself to be wise.
6 He that sendeth words by a foolish messenger, is lame of feet and drinketh iniquity.	6 Whoever sends words by a foolish messenger has lame feet and drinks iniquity.
7 As a lame man hath fair legs in vain: so a parable is unseemly in the mouth of fools.	7 In the manner of a lame man who has beautiful legs to no purpose, so also is a parable unfit for the mouth of the foolish.
8 As he that casteth a stone into the heap of Mercury: so is he that giveth honour to a fool.	8 Just like one who casts a stone into the pile of Mercury, so also is he who gives honor to the foolish.
9 As if a thorn should grow in the hand of a drunkard: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.	9 In the manner of a thorn, if it were to spring up from the hand of a drunkard, so also is a parable in the mouth of the foolish.
10 Judgment determineth causes: and he that putteth a fool to silence, appeaseth anger.	10 Judgment determines cases. And whoever imposes silence on the foolish mitigates anger.
11 As a dog that returneth to his vomit, so is the fool that repeateth his folly.	11 Like a dog that returns to his vomit, so also is the imprudent who repeats his foolishness.
12 Hast thou seen a man wise in his own conceit? there shall be more hope of a fool than of him.	12 Have you seen a man who seems wise to himself? There will be greater hope held for the unwise than for him.
13 The slothful man saith: There is a lion in the way, and a lioness in the roads.	13 The lazy one says, “There is a lion along the way, and a lioness in the roads.”
14 As the door turneth upon its hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.	14 Just as a door turns upon its hinges, so also does the lazy one turn upon his bed.
15 The slothful hideth his hand under his armpit, and it grieveth him to turn it to his mouth.	15 The lazy one conceals his hand under his arms, and it is a labor for him to move it to his mouth.
16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit, than seven men that speak sentences.	16 The lazy one seems wiser to himself than seven men speaking judgments.
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 Just like one who takes hold of a dog by the ears, so also is he who crosses impatiently and meddles in the quarrels of another.
18 As he is guilty that shooteth arrows, and lances unto death :	18 Just as he is guilty who let loose the arrows and the lances unto death,
19 So is the man that hurteth his friend deceitfully: and when he is taken, saith: I did it in jest.	19 so also is the man who harms his friend by deceitfulness. And when he has been apprehended, he says, “I did it jokingly.”
20 When the wood faileth, the fire shall go out: and when the talebearer is taken away, contentions shall cease.	20 When the wood fails, the fire will be extinguished. And when the gossiper is taken away, conflicts will be quelled.
21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire, so an angry man stirreth up strife.	21 Just as charcoals are to burning coals, and wood is to fire, so also is an angry man who stirs up quarrels.
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 whisperer seem simple, but they penetrate to the innermost parts of the self.
23 Swelling lips joined with a corrupt heart, are like an earthen vessel adorned with silver dross.	23 In the same manner as an earthen vessel, if it were adorned with impure silver, conceited lips are allied with a wicked heart.
24 An enemy is known by his lips, when in his heart he entertaineth deceit.	24 An enemy is known by his lips, though it is from his heart that he draws out deceit.
25 When he shall speak low, trust him not: because there are seven mischiefs in his heart.	25 When he will have lowered his voice, do not believe him, for there are seven vices in his heart.
26 He that covereth hatred deceitfully, his malice shall be laid open in the public assembly.	26 Whoever covers hatred with deceit, his malice shall 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 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it. And whoever rolls a stone, it will roll back to him.
28 A deceitful tongue loveth not truth: and a slippery mouth worketh ruin.	28 A false tongue does not love truth. And a slippery mouth works ruin.