| Chapter 26 |
1 | As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, So honor is not seemly for a fool.
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2 | As the sparrow in her wandering, as the swallow in her flying, So the curse that is causeless alighteth not.
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3 | A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, And a rod for the back of fools.
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4 | Answer not a fool according to his folly, Lest thou also be like unto him.
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5 | Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own conceit.
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6 | He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool Cutteth off [his own] feet, [and] drinketh in damage.
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7 | The legs of the lame hang loose: So is a parable in the mouth of fools.
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8 | As one that bindeth a stone in a sling, So is he that giveth honor to a fool.
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9 | [As] a thorn that goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, So is a parable in the mouth of fools.
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10 | [As] an archer that woundeth all, So is he that hireth a fool and he that hireth them that pass by.
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11 | As a dog that returneth to his vomit, [So is] a fool that repeateth his folly.
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12 | Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him.
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13 | The sluggard saith, There is a lion in the way; A lion is in the streets.
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14 | [As] the door turneth upon its hinges, So doth the sluggard upon his bed.
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15 | The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish; It wearieth him to bring it again to his mouth.
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16 | The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit Than seven men that can render a reason.
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17 | He that passeth by, [and] vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him, Is [like] one that taketh a dog by the ears.
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18 | As a madman who casteth firebrands, Arrows, and death,
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19 | So is the man that deceiveth his neighbor, And saith, Am not I in sport?
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20 | For lack of wood the fire goeth out; And where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth.
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21 | [As] coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to inflame strife.
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22 | The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts.
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23 | Fervent lips and a wicked heart Are [like] an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.
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24 | He that hateth dissembleth with his lips; But he layeth up deceit within him:
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25 | When he speaketh fair, believe him not; For there are seven abominations in his heart:
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26 | Though [his] hatred cover itself with guile, His wickedness shall be openly showed before the assembly.
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27 | Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein; And he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.
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28 | A lying tongue hateth those whom it hath wounded; And a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
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