Proverbs 26 Like snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool. Like a fluttering sparrow, like a darting swallow, so the undeserved curse doesn’t come to rest. A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools! Don’t answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes. One who sends a message by the hand of a fool is cutting off feet and drinking violence. Like the legs of the lame that hang loose, so is a parable in the mouth of fools. As one who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honor to a fool. Like a thorn bush that goes into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools. As an archer who wounds all, so is he who hires a fool or he who hires those who pass by. As a dog that returns to his vomit, so is a fool who repeats his folly. Do you see a person who is wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them. The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! A fierce lion roams the streets!” As the door turns on its hinges, so does the sluggard on his bed. The sluggard buries his hand in the dish. He is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth. The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer with discretion. Like one who grabs a dog’s ears is one who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own. Like a maniac who shoots firebrands, arrows, and death, is the person who deceives their neighbor and says, “I was only joking!” For lack of wood a fire goes out. Without gossip, a quarrel dies down. Like charcoal to embers, and wood to fire, is a contentious person to kindling strife. The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, they go down into the innermost parts. Like silver dross on an earthen vessel are the lips of a fervent one with an evil heart. A hateful person disguises it with their lips, but they harbor evil in their heart. When his speech is charming, don’t believe him, for there are seven abominations in his heart. His malice may be concealed by deception, but his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly. Whoever digs a pit will fall into it. Whoever rolls a stone, it will come back on them. A lying tongue hates those it hurts; and a flattering mouth works ruin.