Proverbs 26

DOUAI-RHEIMS	NEW JERUSALEM
1 As snow in summer, and rain in harvest, so glory 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 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 As the sparrow escapes, and the swal ow flies away, so the undeserved curse will never hit its mark.
3 A whip for a horse, and a snaffle for an ass, and a rod for the back of fools.	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 be made like 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 imagine himself to be wise.	5 Answer a fool in the terms of his fol y for fear he imagine himself wise.
6 He that sendeth words by a foolish messenger, is lame of feet and drinketh iniquity.	6 He wounds himself, he takes violence for his drink, who sends a message by a fool.
7 As a lame man hath fair legs in vain: so a parable is unseemly 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 casteth a stone into the heap of Mercury: 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 if a thorn should grow in 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 Judgment determineth causes: and he that putteth a fool to silence, appeaseth anger.	10 An archer wounding everyone, such is he who hires the passing fool and drunkard.
11 As a dog that returneth to his vomit, so is the fool that repeateth his folly.	11 As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool reverts to his fol y.
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 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, and a lioness in the roads.	13 'A wild beast on the road!' says the idler, 'a lion in the streets!'
14 As the door turneth upon its 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 under his armpit, and it grieveth him to turn it 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 speak sentences.	16 The idler thinks himself wiser than seven people who answer with discretion.
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 He takes a stray dog by the ears, who meddles in someone else's quarrel.
18 As he is guilty that shooteth arrows, and lances unto death :	18 Like a madman hurling firebrands, arrows and death,
19 So is the man that hurteth his friend deceitfully: and when he is taken, saith: I did it in jest.	19 so is anyone who lies to a companion and then says, 'Aren't I amusing?'
20 When the wood faileth, the fire shall go out: and when the talebearer is taken away, contentions shall cease.	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 an angry man stirreth up strife.	21 Charcoal for live embers, wood for fire, and the quarrelsome for kindling 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 slanderer are tasty morsels that go right down into the bel y.
23 Swelling lips joined with a corrupt heart, are like an earthen vessel adorned with silver dross.	23 Base silver-plate on top of clay: such are fervent lips and a wicked heart.
24 An enemy is known by his lips, when in his heart he entertaineth deceit.	24 Whoever hates may hide it in speech, but deep within lies treachery;
25 When he shall speak low, trust him not: because there are seven mischiefs in his heart.	25 do not trust such a person's pretty speeches, since in the heart lurk seven abominations.
26 He that covereth hatred deceitfully, his malice shall be laid open in the public assembly.	26 Hatred may disguise itself with guile, to reveal its wickedness later 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 fal s into it, the stone comes back on him that rol s it.
28 A deceitful tongue loveth not truth: and a slippery mouth worketh ruin.	28 The lying tongue hates its victims, the wheedling mouth causes ruin.