Proverbs 26:3–12

3  zA whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,

and aa rod for the back of fools.

4  bAnswer not a fool according to his folly,

lest you be like him yourself.

5  cAnswer a fool according to his folly,

lest he be dwise in his own eyes.

6  Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool

cuts off his own feet and edrinks violence.

7  Like a lame man’s legs, which hang useless,

is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

8  Like one who binds the stone in the sling

is fone who gives honor to a fool.

9  Like ga thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard

is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

10  Like an archer who wounds everyone

is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard.1

11  Like ha dog that returns to his vomit

is ia fool who repeats his folly.

12  Do you see a man who is jwise in his own eyes?

kThere is more hope for a fool than for him.