Proverbs 26

1Snow does not belong in summer, nor rain at harvest time, and honor does not belong with a fool. 2Like a sparrow flitting about or a swallow darting past, an undeserved curse flies back to the one who spoke it. 3The horse needs a whip, the donkey a bridle, and the backs of fools a rod. 4Do not answer fools on the terms of their folly, or you will become like them yourself. 5Answer fools as their folly deserves, or they will think themselves wise. 6Whoever sends a message by a fool cuts off their own feet and drinks down trouble. 7Like the useless legs of someone who is lame is a proverb in the mouth of fools. 8Giving honor to a fool is like tying a stone into a sling. 9Like a thorn branch in the hand of a drunk is a proverb in the mouth of fools. 10Like an archer who shoots at anyone is the one who hires a fool or any stranger passing by. 11As a dog goes back to its vomit, so fools return to their foolishness. 12Do you see people who are wise in their own eyes? A fool has more hope than they do. 13The lazy one says, “There is a lion on the road! A lion loose in the streets!” 14As a door swings back and forth on its hinge, so the lazy one turns over in bed. 15The lazy bury their hand in the dish and are too tired to lift it back to their mouth. 16The lazy think they are wiser than seven people who can give a sensible answer. 17Like someone who seizes a stray dog by the ears is a passerby who gets worked up over a quarrel that is none of their business. 18Like a maniac who hurls flaming darts, arrows and death, 19so is anyone who tricks a neighbor and then says, “I was only joking!” 20When the wood runs out, the fire goes out; when there is no gossip, quarrels die down. 21As charcoal feeds embers and wood feeds fire, so a quarrelsome person keeps conflict burning.

22Gossip is like tasty bites of food; it goes all the way down inside. 23Like a coat of silver dross over a clay pot are warm words that hide an evil heart. 24People who hate disguise it with their words, while inside they harbor deceit. 25When they speak graciously, do not believe them, for seven detestable things fill their hearts. 26Hatred may hide behind deceit, but their wickedness will be exposed before the whole community. 27Whoever digs a pit will fall into it; whoever starts a stone rolling will have it roll back on them. 28A lying tongue hates the people it hurts, and flattering words bring ruin.