Proverbs 26 Updated Brenton English Septuagint

261 As dew in harvest, and as rain in summer, So honor is not [seemly] for a fool. 2 As birds and sparrows fly, So a curse shall not come upon anyone without a cause. 3 As a whip for a horse, and a goad for an ass, So [is] a rod for a simple nation. 4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, Lest thou become like him. 5 Yet answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he seem wise in his own conceit. 6 He that sends a message by a foolish messenger Procures for himself a reproach from his own ways. 7 [As well] take away the motion of the legs, As transgression from the mouth of fools. 8 He that binds up a stone in a sling, Is like one that gives glory to a fool. 9 Thorns grow in the hand of a drunkard, And servitude in the hand of fools. 10 All the flesh of fools endures much hardship; For their fury is brought to nought. 11 As when a dog goes to his own vomit, and becomes abominable, So is a fool who returns in his wickedness to his own sin. 11a There is a shame that brings sin: And there is a shame [that is] glory and grace. 12 I have seen a man who seemed to himself to be wise; But a fool had more hope than he. 13 A sluggard when sent on a journey says, [There is] a lion in the ways, And [there are] murderers in the streets. 14 As a door turns on the hinge, So does a sluggard on his bed. 15 A sluggard having hidden his hand in his bosom, Will not be able to bring it up to his mouth. 16 A sluggard seems to himself wiser Than one who most satisfactorily brings back a message. 17 As he that lays hold of a dog’s tail, So is he that makes himself the champion of another’s cause. 18 As those who need correction put forth [fair] words to men, And he that first falls in with the proposal will be overthrown; 19 So are all that lay wait for their own friends, And when they are discovered, say, I did it in jest. 20 With much wood fire increases; But where there is not a double-minded man, strife ceases. 21 A hearth for coals, and wood for fire; And a railing man for the tumult of strife. 22 The words of cunning knaves are soft; But they smite [even] to the inmost parts of the bowels. 23 Silver dishonestly given is to be considered as a potsherd: Smooth lips cover a grievous heart. 24 A weeping enemy promises all things with his lips, But in his heart he contrives deceit. 25 Though [thine] enemy entreat thee with a loud voice, consent not: For there are seven abominations in his heart. 26 He that hides enmity frames deceit: but being easily discerned, Exposes his own sins in the public assemblies. 27 He that digs a pit for his neighbor shall fall into it: And he that rolls a stone, rolls it upon himself. 28 A lying tongue hates the truth; And an unguarded mouth causes tumults.