Proverbs 26Proverbs26

King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

1. Similitudes and Instructions

2. 1KJVAs snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.BSBBSB: Like snow in summer and rain at harvest, honor does not befit a fool.
3. 2KJVAs the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.BSBBSB: Like a fluttering sparrow or darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest.
4. 3KJVA whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back.BSBBSB: A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools!
5. 4KJVAnswer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.BSBBSB: Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be like him.
6. 5KJVAnswer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.BSBBSB: Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he become wise in his own eyes.
7. 6KJVHe that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.BSBBSB: Like cutting off one’s own feet or drinking violence is the sending of a message by the hand of a fool.
8. 7KJVThe legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.BSBBSB: Like lame legs hanging limp is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
9. 8KJVAs he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.BSBBSB: Like binding a stone into a sling is the giving of honor to a fool.
10. 9KJVAs a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.BSBBSB: Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
11. 10KJVThe great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.BSBBSB: Like an archer who wounds at random is he who hires a fool or passerby.
12. 11KJVAs a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.BSBBSB: As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.
13. 12KJVSeest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.BSBBSB: Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
14. 13KJVThe slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.BSBBSB: The slacker says, “A lion is in the road! A fierce lion roams the public square!”
15. 14KJVAs the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.BSBBSB: As a door turns on its hinges, so the slacker turns on his bed.
16. 15KJVThe slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.BSBBSB: The slacker buries his hand in the dish; it wearies him to bring it back to his mouth.
17. 16KJVThe sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.BSBBSB: The slacker is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer discreetly.
18. 17KJVHe that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.BSBBSB: Like one who grabs a dog by the ears is a passerby who meddles in a quarrel not his own.
19. 18KJVAs a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,BSBBSB: Like a madman shooting firebrands and deadly arrows,
20. 19KJVSo is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?BSBBSB: so is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I was only joking!”
21. 20KJVWhere no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.BSBBSB: Without wood, a fire goes out; without gossip, a conflict ceases.
22. 21KJVAs coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.BSBBSB: Like charcoal for embers and wood for fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.
23. 22KJVThe words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.BSBBSB: The words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being.
24. 23KJVBurning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.BSBBSB: Like glaze covering an earthen vessel are burning lips and a wicked heart.
25. 24KJVHe that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;BSBBSB: A hateful man disguises himself with his speech, but he lays up deceit in his heart.
26. 25KJVWhen he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.BSBBSB: When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, for seven abominations fill his heart.
27. 26KJVWhose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.BSBBSB: Though his hatred is concealed by deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
28. 27KJVWhoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.BSBBSB: He who digs a pit will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.
29. 28KJVA lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.BSBBSB: A lying tongue hates those it crushes, and a flattering mouth causes ruin.