Proverbs 26
28 verses
Chapter 26 focuses extensively on the fool and the scoffer, offering vivid and often humorous portraits of various forms of foolishness and their consequences, along with counsel on how to respond to fools and how to avoid their fate. The chapter opens with the observation that honor is not fitting for a fool just as snow in summer or rain in harvest is unsuitable, establishing the grotesque inappropriateness of foolish persons exercising authority or receiving respect they do not deserve. The chapter devotes sustained attention to the tongue and speech: the fool's lips bring strife and his mouth calls for blows; whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from trouble; smooth lips and a deceitful heart make for a scoffer. Memorable images include the fool being like a dog returning to its vomit as a fool returning to his folly; the sluggard turning on his bed as a door on hinges (going round and round without moving forward); and the feet of those quick to run to evil showing an inability to stop. The chapter also addresses how to respond to fools: answering according to his folly lest he think himself wise, or not answering lest the fool be wise in his own conceit, suggesting that there is no simple formula for dealing with fools. Chapter 26 is distinctive in its focus on a single character type, providing extended character analysis that goes beyond brief couplets to present the fool as a recognizable social problem requiring strategic response.
VERSES IN THIS CHAPTER
1
As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.
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2
As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.
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3
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back.
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God is faithful in every circumstance.. God meets us exactly where we are — broken, uncertain, yet chosen. I think this ...
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 the feet, and drinketh damage.
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7
The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
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Today it speaks comfort; a year ago it spoke conviction.. I think this is a call to trust beyond what we can see. God is...
8
As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
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9
As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
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God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. ...
10
The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.
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11
As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to 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 slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
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14
As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
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15
The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth 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 meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
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18
As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
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19
So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
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20
Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
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21
As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
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22
The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
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23
Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
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24
He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and 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
Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.
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27
Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
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28
A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
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