# Proverbs 26 (New King James Version)
Honor Is Not Fitting for a Fool

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

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

###### 3 A whip for the horse,  
A bridle for the donkey,  
And a rod for the fool's back.  

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

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

###### 6 He who sends a message by the hand of a fool  
Cuts off _his own_ feet _and_ drinks violence.  

###### 7 _Like_ the legs of the lame that hang limp  
_Is_ a proverb in the mouth of fools.  

###### 8 Like one who binds a stone in a sling  
_Is_ he who gives honor to a fool.  

###### 9 _Like_ a thorn _that_ goes into the hand of a drunkard  
_Is_ a proverb in the mouth of fools.  

###### 10 The great _God_ who formed everything  
Gives the fool _his_ hire and the transgressor _his_ wages.  

###### 11 As a dog returns to his own vomit,  
_So_ a fool repeats his folly.  

###### 12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes?  
_There is_ more hope for a fool than for him.

###### 13 The lazy _man_ says, "_There is_ a lion in the road!  
A fierce lion _is_ in the streets!"  

###### 14 _As_ a door turns on its hinges,  
So _does_ the lazy _man_ on his bed.  

###### 15 The lazy _man_ buries his hand in the bowl;  
It wearies him to bring it back to his mouth.  

###### 16 The lazy _man is_ wiser in his own eyes  
Than seven men who can answer sensibly.

###### 17 He who passes by _and_ meddles in a quarrel not his own  
_Is like_ one who takes a dog by the ears.

###### 18 Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death,  

###### 19 _Is_ the man _who_ deceives his neighbor,  
And says, "I was only joking!"

###### 20 Where _there is_ no wood, the fire goes out;  
And where _there is_ no talebearer, strife ceases.  

###### 21 _As_ charcoal _is_ to burning coals, and wood to fire,  
So _is_ a contentious man to kindle strife.  

###### 22 The words of a talebearer _are_ like tasty trifles,  
And they go down into the inmost body.

###### 23 Fervent lips with a wicked heart  
_Are like_ earthenware covered with silver dross.

###### 24 He who hates, disguises _it_ with his lips,  
And lays up deceit within himself;  

###### 25 When he speaks kindly, do not believe him,  
For _there are_ seven abominations in his heart;  

###### 26 _Though his_ hatred is covered by deceit,  
His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly.

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

###### 28 A lying tongue hates _those who are_ crushed by it,  
And a flattering mouth works ruin.