Proverbs 26

NEW JERUSALEM	DOUAI-RHEIMS
1 Snow no more befits the summer, nor rain the harvest-time, than honours befit a fool.	1 As snow in summer, and rain in harvest, so glory is not seemly for a fool.
2 As the sparrow escapes, and the swal ow flies away, so the undeserved curse will never hit its mark.	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.
3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and for the backs of fools, a stick.	3 A whip for a horse, and a snaffle for an ass, and a rod for the back of fools.
4 Do not answer a fool in the terms of his fol y for fear you grow like him yourself.	4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou be made like him.
5 Answer a fool in the terms of his fol y for fear he imagine himself wise.	5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he imagine himself to be wise.
6 He wounds himself, he takes violence for his drink, who sends a message by a fool.	6 He that sendeth words by a foolish messenger, is lame of feet and drinketh iniquity.
7 Unreliable as the legs of the lame, so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.	7 As a lame man hath fair legs in vain: so a parable is unseemly in the mouth of fools.
8 As wel tie the stone to the sling as pay honour to a fool.	8 As he that casteth a stone into the heap of Mercury: so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
9 A thorn branch in a drunkard's hand, such is a proverb in the mouth of fools.	9 As if a thorn should grow in the hand of a drunkard: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
10 An archer wounding everyone, such is he who hires the passing fool and drunkard.	10 Judgment determineth causes: and he that putteth a fool to silence, appeaseth anger.
11 As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool reverts to his fol y.	11 As a dog that returneth to his vomit, so is the fool that repeateth his folly.
12 You see someone who thinks himself wise? More to be hoped for from a fool than from him!	12 Hast thou seen a man wise in his own conceit? there shall be more hope of a fool than of him.
13 'A wild beast on the road!' says the idler, 'a lion in the streets!'	13 The slothful man saith: There is a lion in the way, and a lioness in the roads.
14 The door turns on its hinges, the idler on his bed.	14 As the door turneth upon its hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
15 Into the dish the idler dips his hand, but is too tired to bring it back to his mouth.	15 The slothful hideth his hand under his armpit, and it grieveth him to turn it to his mouth.
16 The idler thinks himself wiser than seven people who answer with discretion.	16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit, than seven men that speak sentences.
17 He takes a stray dog by the ears, who meddles in someone else's quarrel.	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.
18 Like a madman hurling firebrands, arrows and death,	18 As he is guilty that shooteth arrows, and lances unto death :
19 so is anyone who lies to a companion and then says, 'Aren't I amusing?'	19 So is the man that hurteth his friend deceitfully: and when he is taken, saith: I did it in jest.
20 No wood, and the fire goes out; no slanderer, and quarrel ing dies down.	20 When the wood faileth, the fire shall go out: and when the talebearer is taken away, contentions shall cease.
21 Charcoal for live embers, wood for fire, and the quarrelsome for kindling strife.	21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire, so an angry man stirreth up strife.
22 The words of a slanderer are tasty morsels that go right down into the bel y.	22 The words of a talebearer are as it were simple, but they reach to the innermost parts of the belly.
23 Base silver-plate on top of clay: such are fervent lips and a wicked heart.	23 Swelling lips joined with a corrupt heart, are like an earthen vessel adorned with silver dross.
24 Whoever hates may hide it in speech, but deep within lies treachery;	24 An enemy is known by his lips, when in his heart he entertaineth deceit.
25 do not trust such a person's pretty speeches, since in the heart lurk seven abominations.	25 When he shall speak low, trust him not: because there are seven mischiefs in his heart.
26 Hatred may disguise itself with guile, to reveal its wickedness later in the assembly.	26 He that covereth hatred deceitfully, his malice shall be laid open in the public assembly.
27 Whoever digs a pit fal s into it, the stone comes back on him that rol s it.	27 He that diggeth a pit, shall fall into it: and he that rolleth a stone, it shall return to him.
28 The lying tongue hates its victims, the wheedling mouth causes ruin.	28 A deceitful tongue loveth not truth: and a slippery mouth worketh ruin.