Proverbs 26:3–12

3 cA whip for the horse,

A bridle for the donkey,

And a rod for the fool’s back.

4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly,

Lest you also be like him.

5 dAnswer a fool according to his folly,

Lest he be wise in his own eyes.

6 He who sends a message by the hand of a fool

Cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.

7 Like the legs of the lame that hang limp

Is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

8 Like one who binds a stone in a sling

Is he who gives honor to a fool.

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

Is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

10 1The great God who formed everything

Gives the fool his hire and the transgressor his wages.

11 eAs a dog returns to his own vomit,

fSo a fool repeats his folly.

12 gDo you see a man wise in his own eyes?

There is more hope for a fool than for him.