Proverbs 26

KING JAMES BIBLE	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour 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 the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.	2 Like the sparrow in its flitting, like the swallow in its flight, a curse uncalled-for arrives nowhere.
3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.	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 also be like unto 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 be wise in his own conceit.	5 Answer the fool according to his folly, lest he become wise in his own eyes.
6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.	6 He cuts off his feet, he drinks down violence, who sends messages by a fool.
7 The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.	7 A proverb in the mouth of a fool hangs limp, like crippled legs.
8 As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, 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 a thorn goeth up into 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 The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.	10 Like an archer wounding all who pass by is he who hires a drunken fool.
11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.	11 As the dog returns to his vomit, so the fool repeats his folly.
12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is 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; a lion is in the streets.	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 his 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 in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again 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 can render a reason.	16 The sluggard imagines himself wiser than seven men who answer with good sense.
17 He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.	17 Like the man who seizes a passing dog by the ears is he who meddles in a quarrel not his own.
18 As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,	18 Like a crazed archer scattering firebrands and deadly arrows
19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?	19 Is the man who deceives his neighbor, and then says, "I was only joking."
20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.	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 is a contentious man to kindle 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 wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.	22 The words of a talebearer are like dainty morsels that sink into one's inmost being.
23 Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.	23 Like a glazed finish on earthenware are smooth lips with a wicked heart.
24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;	24 With his lips an enemy pretends, but in his inmost being he maintains deceit;
25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.	25 When he speaks graciously, trust him not, for seven abominations are in his heart.
26 Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.	26 A man may conceal hatred under dissimulation, but his malice will be revealed in the assembly.
27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.	27 He who digs a pit falls into it; and a stone comes back upon him who rolls it.
28 A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.	28 The lying tongue is its owner's enemy, and the flattering mouth works ruin.