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1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool. 2 As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come. 3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back.
4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. 5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.* conceit: Heb. eyes
6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.† damage: or, violence 7 The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.‡ are…: Heb. are lifted up 8 As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.§ bindeth…: or, putteth a precious stone in an heap of stones 9 As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools. 10 The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.** The great…: or, A great man grieveth all, and he hireth the fool, he hireth also transgressors 11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.†† returneth to his folly: Heb. iterateth his folly 12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him. 13 The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets. 14 As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed. 15 The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.‡‡ it grieveth…: or, he is weary 16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason. 17 He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.§§ meddleth: or, is enraged
18 As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,*** firebrands: Heb. flames, or, sparks 19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.††† Where no…: Heb. Without wood‡‡‡ talebearer: or, whisperer§§§ ceaseth: Heb. is silent 21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife. 22 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.* innermost…: Heb. chambers 23 Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;† dissembleth: or, is known 25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.‡ speaketh…: Heb. maketh his voice gracious 26 Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.§ by…: or, in secret 27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him. 28 A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.

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*26.5 conceit: Heb. eyes

†26.6 damage: or, violence

‡26.7 are…: Heb. are lifted up

§26.8 bindeth…: or, putteth a precious stone in an heap of stones

**26.10 The great…: or, A great man grieveth all, and he hireth the fool, he hireth also transgressors

††26.11 returneth to his folly: Heb. iterateth his folly

‡‡26.15 it grieveth…: or, he is weary

§§26.17 meddleth: or, is enraged

***26.18 firebrands: Heb. flames, or, sparks

†††26.20 Where no…: Heb. Without wood

‡‡‡26.20 talebearer: or, whisperer

§§§26.20 ceaseth: Heb. is silent

*26.22 innermost…: Heb. chambers

†26.24 dissembleth: or, is known

‡26.25 speaketh…: Heb. maketh his voice gracious

§26.26 by…: or, in secret

You may copy the King James Version of the Holy Bible freely. If you find a typo that is not just an archaic spelling, please report it.

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