Proverbs 26:1–12

Similitudes, Instructions

¹Like snow in summer and like ^arain in harvest,

So honor is not ^bfitting for a fool.

²Like a ^asparrow in its ¹flitting, like a swallow in its flying,

So a ^bcurse without cause does not ²alight.

³A ^awhip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,

And a ^brod for the back of fools.

^4aDo not answer a fool according to his folly,

Or you will also be like him.

^5aAnswer a fool as his folly deserves,

That he not be ^bwise in his own eyes.

⁶He cuts off his own feet and drinks violence

Who sends a message by the hand of a fool.

⁷Like the legs which ¹are useless to the lame,

So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

⁸Like ¹one who binds a stone in a sling,

So is he who gives honor to a fool.

⁹Like a thorn which ¹falls into the hand of a drunkard,

So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

¹⁰¹Like an archer who wounds everyone,

So is he who hires a fool or who hires those who pass by.

¹¹Like ^aa dog that returns to its vomit

Is a fool who ^brepeats ¹his folly.

¹²Do you see a man ^awise in his own eyes?

^bThere is more hope for a fool than for him.