ASV
Proverbs 26
1As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, So honor is not seemly for a fool.
2As the sparrow in her wandering, as the swallow in her flying, So the curse that is causeless alighteth not.
3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, And a rod for the back of fools.
4Answer not a fool according to his folly, Lest thou also be like unto him.
5Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own conceit.
6He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool Cutteth off [his own] feet, [and] drinketh in damage.
7The legs of the lame hang loose: So is a parable in the mouth of fools.
8As one that bindeth a stone in a sling, So is he that giveth honor to a fool.
9[ As] a thorn that goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, So is a parable in the mouth of fools.
10[As] an archer that woundeth all, So is he that hireth a fool and he that hireth them that pass by.
11As a dog that returneth to his vomit, [So is] a fool that repeateth his folly.
12Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him.
13The sluggard 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 sluggard upon his bed.
15The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish; It wearieth him to bring it again to his mouth.
16The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit Than seven men that can render a reason.
17He that passeth by, [and] vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him, Is [like] one that taketh a dog by the ears.
18As a madman who casteth firebrands, Arrows, and death,
19So is the man that deceiveth his neighbor, And saith, Am not I in sport?
20For lack of wood the fire goeth out; And where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth.
21[ As] coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to inflame strife.
22The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts.
23Fervent lips and a wicked heart Are [like] an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.
24He that hateth dissembleth with his lips; But he layeth up deceit within him:
25When he speaketh fair, believe him not; For there are seven abominations in his heart:
26Though [his] hatred cover itself with guile, His wickedness shall be openly showed before the assembly.
27Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein; And he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.
28A lying tongue hateth those whom it hath wounded; And a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
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Arrows: Deadly and Destructive Weapons Proverbs 26:18
Like a madman shooting firebrands and deadly arrows,
Backsliders: General Scriptures Concerning Proverbs 26:11
As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.
Beds: The Slothful Too Fond of Proverbs 26:14
As a door turns on its hinges, so the slacker turns on his bed.
Being Angry Proverbs 26:20
Without wood, a fire goes out; without gossip, a conflict ceases.
Boastfulness Proverbs 26:12
Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
Breaking Curses Proverbs 26:2
Like a fluttering sparrow or darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest.
Bridle: General Scriptures Concerning Proverbs 26:3
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools!
Busy-Bodies: Bring Mischief Upon Themselves Proverbs 26:17
Like one who grabs a dog by the ears is a passerby who meddles in a quarrel not his own.
Co-Signing Proverbs 26:19
so is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I was only joking!”
Conceit: General Scriptures Concerning Proverbs 26:5, 12, 16
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he become wise in his own eyes. / Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. / The slacker is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer discreetly.
Confidence: False Proverbs 26:12
Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
Corporal Punishment Proverbs 26:3
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools!
Creation: Effected by God Proverbs 26:10
Like an archer who wounds at random is he who hires a fool or passerby.
Dealing with a Liar Proverbs 26:28
A lying tongue hates those it crushes, and a flattering mouth causes ruin.
Deceit: Hatred often Concealed By Proverbs 26:24–26
A hateful man disguises himself with his speech, but he lays up deceit in his heart. / When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, for seven abominations fill his heart. / Though his hatred is concealed by deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
Dog: Habits of Returns to Eat his own Vomit Proverbs 26:11
As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.
Dogs Proverbs 26:11
As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.
Donkey: Domesticated: Bridles For Proverbs 26:3
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools!
Door: Hinges For Proverbs 26:14
As a door turns on its hinges, so the slacker turns on his bed.
Dross: Figurative Proverbs 26:23
Like glaze covering an earthen vessel are burning lips and a wicked heart.
Drunkards Proverbs 26:9
Like a thorn that falls into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
Enemies: The Friendship of, Deceitful Proverbs 26:26
Though his hatred is concealed by deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
False Confidence in Self Proverbs 26:12
Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
Falsehood: General Scriptures Concerning Proverbs 26:18, 19, 24–26, 28
Like a madman shooting firebrands and deadly arrows, / so is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I was only joking!” / A hateful man disguises himself with his speech, but he lays up deceit in his heart.
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Proverbs 26:1 Verse 1
Honour is out of season to those unworthy and unfit for it.
Proverbs 26:2 Verse 2
He that is cursed without cause, the curse shall do him no more harm than the bird that flies over his head.
Proverbs 26:3 Verse 3
Every creature must be dealt with according to its nature, but careless and profligate sinners never will be ruled by reason and persuasion. Man indeed is born like the wild ass's colt; but some, by the grace of God, are changed.
Proverbs 26:4-5 Verses 4, 5
We are to fit our remarks to the man, and address them to his conscience, so as may best end the debate.
Proverbs 26:6-9 Verses 6-9
Fools are not fit to be trusted, nor to have any honour. Wise sayings, as a foolish man delivers and applies them, lose their usefulness.
Proverbs 26:10 Verse 10
This verse may either declare how the Lord, the Creator of all men, will deal with sinners according to their guilt, or, how the powerful among men should disgrace and punish the wicked.
Proverbs 26:11 Verse 11
The dog is a loathsome emblem of those sinners who return to their vices, 2Pe 2:22.
Proverbs 26:12 Verse 12
We see many a one who has some little sense, but is proud of it. This describes those who think their spiritual state to be good, when really it is very bad.
Proverbs 26:13 Verse 13
The slothful man hates every thing that requires care and labour. But it is foolish to frighten ourselves from real duties by fancied difficulties. This may be applied to a man slothful in the duties of religion.
Proverbs 26:14 Verse 14
Having seen the slothful man in fear of his work, here we find him in love with his ease. Bodily ease is the sad occasion of many spiritual diseases. He does not care to get forward with his business. Slothful professors turn thus. The world and the flesh are hinges on which they are hung; and though they move in a course of outward services, yet they are not the nearer to heaven.
Proverbs 26:15 Verse 15
The sluggard is now out of his bed, but he might have lain there, for any thing he is likely to bring to pass in his work. It is common for men who will not do their duty, to pretend they cannot. Those that are slothful in religion, will not be at the pains to feed their souls with the bread of life, nor to fetch in promised blessings by prayer.
Proverbs 26:16 Verse 16
He that takes pains in religion, knows he is working for a good Master, and that his labour shall not be in vain.
Proverbs 26:17 Verse 17
To make ourselves busy in other men's matters, is to thrust ourselves into temptation.
Proverbs 26:18-19 Verses 18, 19
He that sins in jest, must repent in earnest, or his sin will be his ruin.
Proverbs 26:20-22 Verses 20-22
Contention heats the spirit, and puts families and societies into a flame. And that fire is commonly kindled and kept burning by whisperers and backbiters.
Proverbs 26:23 Verse 23
A wicked heart disguising itself, is like a potsherd covered with the dross of silver.
Proverbs 26:24-26 Verses 24-26
Always distrust when a man speaks fair unless you know him well. Satan, in his temptations, speaks fair, as he did to Eve; but it is madness to give credit to him.
Proverbs 26:27 Verse 27
What pains men take to do mischief to others! but it is digging a pit, it is rolling a stone, hard work; and they prepare mischief to themselves.
Proverbs 26:28 Verse 28
There are two sorts of lies equally detestable. A slandering lie, the mischief of this every body sees. A flattering lie, which secretly works ruin. A wise man will be more afraid of a flatterer than of a slanderer.