| Chapter 26 |
1 | Like snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, So honor is not fitting for a fool.
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2 | Like a fluttering sparrow, Like a darting swallow, So the undeserved curse doesn't come to rest.
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3 | A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, And a rod for the back of fools!
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4 | Don't answer a fool according to his folly, Lest you also be like him.
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5 | Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes.
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6 | One who sends a message by the hand of a fool Is cutting off feet and drinking violence.
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7 | Like the legs of the lame that hang loose: So is a parable in the mouth of fools.
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8 | As one who binds a stone in a sling, So is he who gives honor to a fool.
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9 | Like a thornbush that goes into the hand of a drunkard, So is a parable in the mouth of fools.
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10 | As an archer who wounds all, So is he who hires a fool Or he who hires those who pass by.
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11 | As a dog that returns to his vomit, So is a fool who repeats his folly.
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12 | Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
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13 | The sluggard says, 'There is a lion in the road! A fierce lion roams the streets!'
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14 | As the door turns on its hinges, So does the sluggard on his bed.
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15 | The sluggard buries his hand in the dish. He is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.
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16 | The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes Than seven men who answer with discretion.
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17 | Like one who seizes a dog's ears Is one who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own.
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18 | Like a madman who shoots firebrands, arrows, and death,
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19 | Is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, 'Am I not joking?'
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20 | For lack of wood the fire goes out; Where there is no gossip, a quarrel dies down.
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21 | As coals are to hot embers, And wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle strife.
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22 | The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, They go down into the innermost parts.
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23 | Like silver dross on an earthen vessel Are the lips of a fervent one with an evil heart.
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24 | A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, But he harbors evil in his heart.
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25 | When his speech is charming, don't believe him; For there are seven abominations in his heart:
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26 | His malice may be concealed by deception, But his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
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27 | Whoever digs a pit shall fall into it. Whoever rolls a stone, it will come back on him.
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28 | A lying tongue hates those it hurts; And a flattering mouth works ruin.
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