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26:1  As snow in summer and rain in harvest, So honor is not fitting for a fool.
26:2  Like a flitting sparrow, like a flying swallow, So a curse without cause shall not alight.
26:3  A whip for the horse, A bridle for the donkey, And a rod for the fool’s back.
26:4  Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Lest you also be like him.
26:5  Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes.
26:6  He who sends a message by the hand of a fool Cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.
26:7  Like the legs of the lame that hang limp Is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
26:8  Like one who binds a stone in a sling Is he who gives honor to a fool.
26:9  Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard Is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
26:10  The great God who formed everything Gives the fool his hire and the transgressor his wages.
26:11  As a dog returns to his own vomit, So a fool repeats his folly.
26:12  Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
26:13  The lazy man says, “There is a lion in the road! A fierce lion is in the streets!”
26:14  As a door turns on its hinges, So does the lazy man on his bed.
26:15  The lazy man buries his hand in the bowl; It wearies him to bring it back to his mouth.
26:16  The lazy man is wiser in his own eyes Than seven men who can answer sensibly.
26:17  He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own Is like one who takes a dog by the ears.
26:18  Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death,
26:19  Is the man who deceives his neighbor, And says, “I was only joking!”
26:20  Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.
26:21  As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle strife.
26:22  The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, And they go down into the inmost body.
26:23  Fervent lips with a wicked heart Are like earthenware covered with silver dross.
26:24  He who hates, disguises it with his lips, And lays up deceit within himself;
26:25  When he speaks kindly, do not believe him, For there are seven abominations in his heart;
26:26  Though his hatred is covered by deceit, His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly.
26:27  Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, And he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.
26:28  A lying tongue hates those who are crushed by it, And a flattering mouth works ruin.