Proverbs 26

1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour 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 unto him. 5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.*26.5 conceit: Heb. eyes

6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.*26.6 damage: or, violence 7 The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.*26.7 are…: Heb. are lifted up 8 As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.*26.8 bindeth…: or, putteth a precious stone in an heap of stones 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.*26.10 The great…: or, A great man grieveth all, and he hireth the fool, he hireth also transgressors 11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.*26.11 returneth to his folly: Heb. iterateth 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 his 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.*26.15 it grieveth…: or, he is weary 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.*26.17 meddleth: or, is enraged

18 As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,*26.18 firebrands: Heb. flames, or, sparks 19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?

20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.*26.20 Where no…: Heb. Without wood*26.20 talebearer: or, whisperer*26.20 ceaseth: Heb. is silent 21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife. 22 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.*26.22 innermost…: Heb. chambers 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;*26.24 dissembleth: or, is known 25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.*26.25 speaketh…: Heb. maketh his voice gracious 26 Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.*26.26 by…: or, in secret 27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: 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.

当以愚昧懒惰人为戒

1 夏天落雪，收割时下雨，都不合宜；

照样，愚昧人获得尊荣，也不合宜。

2 麻雀怎样飞来飞去，燕子怎样翻飞；

照样，无故的咒诅也不会临到人。

3 鞭子是为了打马，嚼环是为了勒驴；

刑杖是为了打愚昧人的背。

4 不要照着愚昧人的愚妄回答他，

免得你像他一样。

5 要照着愚昧人的愚妄回答他，

免得他自以为有智慧。

6 藉愚昧人的手传递信息的，

是自断己足，自寻烦恼。

7 箴言在愚昧人口中，

就像瘸子的腿，虚悬无用。

8 把荣耀给愚昧人的，

就像人把石子系在投石器上。

9 箴言在愚昧人口中，

就像荆棘在醉汉手里。

10 雇用愚昧人和过路人的，

就像胡乱射伤众人的弓箭手。

11 愚昧人一再重复他的愚妄，

正像狗转过来，吃自己所吐的。

12 你见过自以为有智慧的人吗？

愚昧人比他更有指望。

13 懒惰人说："路上有狮子，

广场上也有狮子。"

14 懒惰人在床上翻动，

就像门绕着门铰转动一样。

15 懒惰人把手放在盘子里，

连拿食物送回口边也觉得劳累。

16 懒惰人看自己，

比七个善于应对的人更有智慧。

提防毁谤及诡诈的人

17 过路的人被激怒，去干涉与自己无关的争执，

就像人揪住狗的耳朵。

18,19 人欺骗了邻舍，

却说："我不过是开玩笑罢了。"

他就像疯狂的人，

投掷火把、利箭和杀人的武器。

20 没有柴，火就熄灭；

没有搬弄是非的人，纷争就平息。

21 好争竞的人，煽动争端，

就像余烬上加炭，火上加柴一样。

22 搬弄是非的人的言语如同美食；

深入人的脏腑。

23 嘴唇火热，心却奸恶，

就像包上银渣的瓦器。

24 憎恶人的用话语掩饰自己，

心里却存着诡诈。

25 他的话语虽然动听，你不可信他，

因为他心里有七样可厌恶的事。

26 他的怨恨虽然以诡诈掩饰，

但他的邪恶必在大会中显露出来。

27 挖掘陷坑的，自己必掉在其中；

辊石头的，石头必辊回自己身上。

28 虚谎的舌头憎恶被它伤害的人；

谄媚的口造成败坏。