Proverbs 26:1-1953 kjv — As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool. As the bird by wandering, as the swallow…

King James Version

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.

6

He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.

7

The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

8

As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.

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.

11

As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to 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.

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.

18

As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,

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.

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.

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;

25

When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.

26

Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.

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.

— Proverbs 26:1-1953, King James Version

Read in Another Translation

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Proverbs 26 — Context

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.

6

He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.

7

The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

8

As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.

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.

11

As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to 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.

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.

18

As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,

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.

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.

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;

25

When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.

26

Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.

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.

Proverbs 26:1-1953 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Proverbs 26:1-1953 say?
Proverbs 26:1-1953 in the King James Version reads: “As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool. As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come. A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back. Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit. He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage. The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools. As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool. As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools. The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors. As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly. Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him. The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets. As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed. The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth. The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason. He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears. As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death, So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport? Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife. The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross. He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him; When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart. Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation. Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him. A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin. ”
Where is Proverbs 26:1-1953 in the Bible?
Proverbs 26:1-1953 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Proverbs, chapter 26, verses 1–1953.
Who wrote Proverbs?
Proverbs is traditionally attributed to Solomon (primarily), with sections by Agur and Lemuel. It was written c. 970–700 BC.
What is the book of Proverbs about?
Proverbs is practical wisdom for everyday life — short, vivid sayings on speech, work, money, friendship, sex, parenting, and the fear of the LORD. It teaches that wisdom is not mere cleverness but a way of walking with God in a complicated world.
What are the major themes of Proverbs?
Proverbs explores themes including Wisdom, Folly, Fear of the LORD, Discipline, Speech, Diligence. These themes shape the meaning and context of Proverbs 26:1-1953.
What translation should I read Proverbs 26:1-1953 in?
Proverbs 26:1-1953 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Proverbs 26:1-1953?
Proverbs 26:1-1953 reads (KJV): “As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool. As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come. A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back. Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit. He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage. The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools. As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool. As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools. The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors. As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly. Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him. The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets. As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed. The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth. The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason. He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears. As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death, So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport? Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife. The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross. He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him; When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart. Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation. Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him. A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin. ” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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