Proverbs 26
Verse 1
As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.
in summer
so
3 28.16 Judges 9.7,20,56,57 Esther 3.1-15 4.6,9 Psalms 12.8 15.4 Psalms 52.1 *title; Ecclesiastes 10.5-7
Verse 2
As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.
so
Numbers 23.8 Deuteronomy 23.4,5 1 Samuel 14.28,29 17.43 2 Samuel 16.12 Nehemiah 13.2 Psalms 109.28
Verse 3
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.
10.13 17.10 19.25 27.22 Judges 8.5-7 Psalms 32.9 1 Corinthians 4.21 2 Corinthians 10.6 2 Corinthians 13.2
Verse 4
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
17.14 Judges 12.1-6 2 Samuel 19.41-43 1 Kings 12.14,16 2 Kings 14.8-10 1 Peter 2.21-23 3.9 Jude 1.9
Verse 5
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
a fool
1 Kings 22.24-28 Jeremiah 36.17,18 Matthew 15.1-3 16.1-4 21.23-27 22.15-32 Luke 12.13-21 13.23-30 John 8.7 9.26-33 Titus 1.13
lest
conceit
Heb. eyes.
Verse 6
He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.
sendeth
10.26 13.17 25.13 Numbers 13.31
damage
or, violence.
Verse 7
The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
not equal
Heb. lifted up. so.
9 17.7 Psalms 50.16-21 64.8 Matthew 7.4,5 Luke 4.23
Verse 8
As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
bindeth a stone in a sling
Heb. putteth a precious stone in a heap of stones. This probably refers, as Coverdale understands it, to the custom of throwing a stone to the heap under which a criminal was buried. So the Vulgate, Sicut qui mittit lapidem in acervum Mercurii; ita qui tribuit insipienti honorem, "As he who throws a stone to Mercury's heap, so is he who gives honour to a fool." Mercury was a heathen god of highways; and stones were erected in different parts to guide the traveller: hence those lines of Dr. Young,
so
Verse 9
As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
Verse 10
The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.
The great, etc
or, A great man grieveth all; and he hireth the fool, he hireth also the transgressors.
both
Verse 11
As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.
a dog
Exodus 8.15 Matthew 12.45 2 Peter 2.22
returneth to his folly
Heb. iterateth his folly.
Verse 12
Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
Seest
22.29 29.20 Matthew 21.31 Luke 7.44
a man
5,16 28.11 29.20 Matthew 21.31 Luke 18.11 Romans 12.16 1 Corinthians 3.18,19 2 Corinthians 8.1,2 Revelation 3.17
Verse 13
The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
Verse 14
As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
6.9,10 12.24,27 24.33 Hebrews 6.12
Verse 15
The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.
slothful
it grieveth him
or, he is weary.
Verse 16
The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
Verse 17
He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
passeth
17.11 18.6 20.3 Luke 12.14 2 Timothy 2.23,24
meddleth
or, is enraged.
Verse 18
As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
firebrands
Heb. flames, or sparks. arrows.
Verse 19
So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
and
10.23 14.9 15.21 Ephesians 5.4 2 Peter 2.13
Verse 20
Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
Where no wood is
Heb. Without wood. so.
tale-bearer
or, whisperer. ceaseth. Heb. is silent.
Verse 21
As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
10.12 15.18 29.22 30.33 2 Samuel 20.1 1 Kings 12.2,3,20 Psalms 120.4
Verse 22
The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
words
innermost parts
Heb. chambers.
Verse 23
Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
10.18 2 Samuel 20.9,10 Ezekiel 33.31 Luke 22.47,48
Verse 24
He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
dissembleth
or, is known. deceit.
Verse 25
When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
speaketh fair
Heb. maketh his voice gracious.
Psalms 12.2 28.3 Jeremiah 9.2-8 Micah 7.5
believe
seven
Verse 26
Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.
Whose hatred is covered by deceit
or, Hatred is covered in secret.
Genesis 4.8 1 Samuel 18.17,21 2 Samuel 3.27-30 13.22-28 Psalms 55.21-23
Verse 27
Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
diggeth
28.10 Esther 7.10 Psalms 7.15,16 9.15 10.2 57.6 Ecclesiastes 10.8
Verse 28
A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
lying
He that injures another hates him in proportion to the injury; Proprium humani ingenii est, odisse quem lÊseris, says Tacitlus: and strange to say, in proportion to the innocence of the injured.
John 8.40,44-49 10.32,33 15.22-24