Proverbs 26

Proverbs · Chapter 26

Proverbs 26:3

1As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.2As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back.4Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.5Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.6He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.7The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.8As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.9As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.10The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.11As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.12Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.13The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.14As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.15The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.16The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.17He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.18As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,19So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?20Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.21As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.22The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.23Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.24He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;25When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.26Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.27Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.28A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.

King James Version (1769)

Other translations

VerseKJVBSBASV
3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back.A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools!A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, And a rod for the back of fools.

In context

Who is speaking and to whom, what is happening, when and where, and why it matters, each with its sources. Coming with the context cards.

Original Hebrew words

EnglishHebrewSay itStrong'sMeaning
a whipשׁ֣וֹטShotH7752
whip

שׁוֹט (shot) 1) scourge, whip 1a) scourge (for chastisement) 1a1) of national judgment (fig) 1b) whip (for horse)

for the horseלַ֭סּוּסLA-susH5483M
horse

סוּס (sus) 1) horse 1a) chariot horses

a bridleמֶ֣תֶגME-tegH4964
bridle

מֶ֫תֶג (me.teg) 1) bridle 1a) bridle (for animals) 1b) control, authority (fig.)

for the a donkeyלַחֲמ֑וֹרla-cha-MORH2543
donkey

חֲמוֹר (cha.mor) (he) ass

and a rodוְ֝שֵׁ֗בֶטve-SHE-vetH7626G
tribe: staff

שֵׁ֫בֶט (she.vet) : staff 1) rod, staff, branch, offshoot, club, sceptre, tribe 1a) rod, staff 1b) shaft (of spear, dart) 1c) club (of shepherd's implement) 1d) truncheon, sceptre (mark of authority) 1e) clan, tribe

for [the] back ofלְגֵ֣וle-GEVH1460A
back

גֵּו (gev) the back, back

foolsכְּסִילִֽים׃ke-si-LIMH3684
fool

כְּסִיל (ke.sil) fool, stupid fellow, dullard, simpleton, arrogant one

Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.