Proverbs 26 — FBV

26Verse 1Honoring someone stupid is as inappropriate as snow in the summer or rain during harvest.^{Verse 2}A curse that isn't deserved won't land on the person, like a fluttering sparrow or a flitting swallow.^{Verse 3}Horses need a whip, donkeys need a bridle, and stupid people need a rod on their backs!^{Verse 4}Don't answer stupid people following their stupidity, or you'll become as bad as them.^{Verse 5}Answer stupid people following their stupidity, otherwise they'll think they're wise.^{+Verse 6}Trusting someone stupid to deliver a message is like cutting off your feet or drinking poison.^{Verse 7}A proverb spoken by someone stupid is as useless as a lame person's legs.^{Verse 8}Honoring someone stupid is as pointless as tying a stone into a sling.^{+Verse 9}A proverb spoken by someone stupid is as ridiculous as a thorn bush waved around by a drunk.^{Verse 10}Anyone who hires someone stupid or just a passer-by is like an archer wounding people by shooting arrows at random.^{+Verse 11}Stupid people repeat their stupidity like a dog returning to its vomit.^{Verse 12}Have you seen a man who is wise in his own eyes? There's more hope for stupid people than for him!^{Verse 13}Lazy people are the ones who say, “There's a lion on the road—a lion running around the streets!”^{+Verse 14}A lazy person turns in bed like a door turns on its hinge.^{Verse 15}Lazy people put their hands in a dish, but are too tired to lift the food to their mouths.^{Verse 16}In their own eyes lazy people are wiser than many⁺sensible advisors.^{Verse 17}Interfering in someone else's quarrel is like grabbing a stray dog by the ears.^{Verse 18}You're like a crazy person firing off blazing arrows and killing people^{Verse 19}if you lie to your friend and then say, “I was only joking!”^{Verse 20}Without wood, the fire goes out; and without gossips, arguments stop.^{Verse 21}An argumentative person fires up quarrels like putting charcoal on hot embers or wood on a fire.^{Verse 22}Listening to gossip is like gulping down bites of your favorite food—they go deep down inside you.^{Verse 23}Smooth⁺talking with evil intent is like a shiny lead glaze on an earthenware pot.^{+Verse 24}People say nice things to you even though they hate you; deep down they're just lying to you.^{Verse 25}When people talk nicely to you, don't believe them—their minds are full of hate for you.^{Verse 26}Even though their hatred may be hidden by cunning tricks, their evil will be revealed to everyone.^{Verse 27}Those who dig pits to trap others will fall in themselves, and those who start boulders rolling will be crushed themselves.^{Verse 28}If you tell lies, you show you hate your victims; if you flatter people, you cause disaster.