Proverbs 26 :: New King James Version (NKJV)

Honor Is Not Fitting for a Fool

Pro 26:1

Pro 26:1As snow in summer and rain in harvest,
So honor is not fitting for a fool.

Pro 26:2

Pro 26:2Like a flitting sparrow, like a flying swallow,
So a curse without cause shall not alight.

Pro 26:3

Pro 26:3A whip for the horse,
A bridle for the donkey,
And a rod for the fool’s back.

Pro 26:4

Pro 26:4Do not answer a fool according to his folly,
Lest you also be like him.

Pro 26:5

Pro 26:5Answer a fool according to his folly,
Lest he be wise in his own eyes.

Pro 26:6

Pro 26:6He who sends a message by the hand of a fool
Cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.

Pro 26:7

Pro 26:7Like the legs of the lame that hang limp
Is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

Pro 26:8

Pro 26:8Like one who binds a stone in a sling
Is he who gives honor to a fool.

Pro 26:9

Pro 26:9Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard
Is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

Pro 26:10

Pro 26:10The great God who formed everything
Gives the fool his hire and the transgressor his wages.[fn]

Pro 26:11

Pro 26:11As a dog returns to his own vomit,
So a fool repeats his folly.

Pro 26:12

Pro 26:12Do you see a man wise in his own eyes?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Pro 26:13

Pro 26:13The lazy man says, “There is a lion in the road!
A fierce lion is in the streets!”

Pro 26:14

Pro 26:14As a door turns on its hinges,
So does the lazy man on his bed.

Pro 26:15

Pro 26:15The lazy man buries his hand in the bowl;[fn]
It wearies him to bring it back to his mouth.

Pro 26:16

Pro 26:16The lazy man is wiser in his own eyes
Than seven men who can answer sensibly.

Pro 26:17

Pro 26:17He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own
Is like one who takes a dog by the ears.

Pro 26:18

Pro 26:18Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death,

Pro 26:19

Pro 26:19Is the man who deceives his neighbor,
And says, “I was only joking!”

Pro 26:20

Pro 26:20Where there is no wood, the fire goes out;
And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.

Pro 26:21

Pro 26:21As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire,
So is a contentious man to kindle strife.

Pro 26:22

Pro 26:22The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles,
And they go down into the inmost body.

Pro 26:23

Pro 26:23Fervent lips with a wicked heart
Are like earthenware covered with silver dross.

Pro 26:24

Pro 26:24He who hates, disguises it with his lips,
And lays up deceit within himself;

Pro 26:25

Pro 26:25When he speaks kindly, do not believe him,
For there are seven abominations in his heart;

Pro 26:26

Pro 26:26Though his hatred is covered by deceit,
His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly.

Pro 26:27

Pro 26:27Whoever digs a pit will fall into it,
And he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.

Pro 26:28

Pro 26:28A lying tongue hates those who are crushed by it,
And a flattering mouth works ruin.

See the NKJV Preface (Especially for Parenthesis, Brackets, & Asterisks).

NKJV Footnotes

(26:10)

The Hebrew is difficult; ancient and modern translators differ greatly.

(26:15)

Compare 19:24

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