Proverbs 26

KING JAMES BIBLE	NEW JERUSALEM
1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.	1 Snow no more befits the summer, nor rain the harvest-time, than honours befit a fool.
2 As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.	2 As the sparrow escapes, and the swal ow flies away, so the undeserved curse will never hit its mark.
3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.	3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and for the backs of fools, a stick.
4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.	4 Do not answer a fool in the terms of his fol y for fear you grow like him yourself.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.	5 Answer a fool in the terms of his fol y for fear he imagine himself wise.
6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.	6 He wounds himself, he takes violence for his drink, who sends a message by a fool.
7 The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.	7 Unreliable as the legs of the lame, so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
8 As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.	8 As wel tie the stone to the sling as pay honour 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 A thorn branch in a drunkard's hand, such is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
10 The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.	10 An archer wounding everyone, such is he who hires the passing fool and drunkard.
11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.	11 As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool reverts to his fol y.
12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.	12 You see someone who thinks himself wise? More to be hoped for from a fool than from him!
13 The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.	13 'A wild beast on the road!' says the idler, 'a lion in the streets!'
14 As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.	14 The door turns on its hinges, the idler on his bed.
15 The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.	15 Into the dish the idler dips his hand, but is too tired to bring it back to his mouth.
16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.	16 The idler thinks himself wiser than seven people who answer with discretion.
17 He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.	17 He takes a stray dog by the ears, who meddles in someone else's quarrel.
18 As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,	18 Like a madman hurling firebrands, arrows and death,
19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?	19 so is anyone who lies to a companion and then says, 'Aren't I amusing?'
20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.	20 No wood, and the fire goes out; no slanderer, and quarrel ing dies down.
21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.	21 Charcoal for live embers, wood for fire, and the quarrelsome for kindling 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 slanderer are tasty morsels that go right down into the bel y.
23 Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.	23 Base silver-plate on top of clay: such are fervent lips and a wicked heart.
24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;	24 Whoever hates may hide it in speech, but deep within lies treachery;
25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.	25 do not trust such a person's pretty speeches, since in the heart lurk seven abominations.
26 Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.	26 Hatred may disguise itself with guile, to reveal its wickedness later in the assembly.
27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.	27 Whoever digs a pit fal s into it, the stone comes back on him that rol s it.
28 A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.	28 The lying tongue hates its victims, the wheedling mouth causes ruin.