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Proverbs Chapter 26 (WBT)

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Proverbs Chapter 26 (WBT)
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1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest; so honor is not seemly for a fool.

2 As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.

3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.

4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like him.

5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.

6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.

7 The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

8 As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth 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.

10 The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.

11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.

12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

13 The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.

14 As the door turneth upon its hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.

15 The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.

16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.

17 He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.

18 As a mad man who casteth fire-brands, arrows, and death,

19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbor, and saith, Am not I in sport?

20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no tale-bearer, the strife ceaseth.

21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.

22 The words of a tale-bearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

23 Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.

24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;

25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.

26 Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shown before the whole congregation.

27 Whoever diggeth a pit shall fall into it: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.

28 A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of comparisons fill Proverbs 26?
The chapter strings together vivid similes about fools and sluggards - it opens by saying honor doesn't suit a fool any more than snow suits summer, and that an undeserved curse, like a wandering bird, 'shall not come' (verse 2), similar to the question about cursing whom God has not cursed in Numbers 23:8.
Why does Proverbs 26 seem to say both to answer and not answer a fool?
Verses 4-5 give both instructions side by side - don't answer a fool according to his folly, lest you become like him, but do answer him, lest he think himself wise - showing wisdom depends on the situation.
What does Proverbs 26:11 mean by 'a dog returneth to his vomit'?
It pictures a fool repeating the same folly over and over despite knowing better.

Today's Verse

but there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and he hath made known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these:

Daniel 2:28 | ASV

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