Proverbs 26:7-1953 kjv — 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…

“The legs of the lame hang loose; So is a parable in the mouth of fools. As one that bindeth a stone in a sling, So is he that giveth honor to a fool. Asa thorn that goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, So is a parable in the mouth of fools. As an archer that woundeth all, So is he that hireth a fool and he that hireth them that pass by. As a dog that returneth to his vomit, So isa fool that repeateth his folly. Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him. The sluggard saith, There is a lion in the way; A lion is in the streets. Asthe door turneth upon its hinges, So doth the sluggard upon his bed. The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish; It wearieth 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 vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him, Islikeone that taketh a dog by the ears. As a madman who casteth firebrands, Arrows, and death, So is the man that deceiveth his neighbor, And saith, Am not I in sport? For lack of wood the fire goeth out; And where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth. Ascoals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to inflame strife. The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts. Fervent lips and a wicked heart Arelikean earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross. He that hateth dissembleth with his lips; But he layeth up deceit within him: When he speaketh fair, believe him not; For there are seven abominations in his heart: Though hishatred cover itself with guile, His wickedness shall be openly showed before the assembly. Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein; And he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him. A lying tongue hateth those whom it hath wounded; And a flattering mouth worketh ruin. ”

“Like legs dangle uselessly from the lame, so a proverb dangles in the mouth of fools. Like tying a stone in a sling, so is giving honor to a fool. Like a thorn has gone up into the hand of a drunkard, so a proverb has gone up into the mouth of a fool. Like an archer who wounds at random, so is the one who hires a fool or hires any passerby. Like a dog that returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly. You have seen a man wise in his own opinion– there is more hope for a fool than for him. The sluggard has said,“There is a lion in the road! A lion in the streets!” Like a door that turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed. The sluggard has plunged his hand in the dish; he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth. The sluggard is wiser in his own opinion than seven people who respond with good sense. Like one who grabs a wild dog by the ears, so is the person passing by who becomes furious over a quarrel not his own. Like a madman who shoots firebrands and deadly arrows, so is a person who has deceived his neighbor, and said,“Was I not only joking?” Where there is no wood, a fire goes out, and where there is no gossip, contention ceases. Like charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, so is a contentious person to kindle strife. The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; and they have gone down into a person’s innermost being. Like a coating of glaze over earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart. The one who hates others disguises it with his lips, but he stores up deceit within him. When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, for there are seven abominations within him. Though his hatred may be concealed by deceit, his evil will be uncovered in the assembly. The one who digs a pit will fall into it; the one who rolls a stone– it will come back on him. A lying tongue hates those crushed by it, and a flattering mouth works ruin.”

“As a lame man hath fair legs in vain: so a parable is unseemly in the mouth of fools. As he that casteth a stone into the heap of Mercury: so is he that giveth honour to a fool. As if a thorn should grow in the hand of a drunkard: so is a parable in the mouth of fools. Judgment determineth causes: and he that putteth a fool to silence, appeaseth anger. As a dog that returneth to his vomit, so is the fool that repeateth his folly. Hast thou seen a man wise in his own conceit? there shall be more hope of a fool than of him. The slothful man saith: There is a lion in the way, and a lioness in the roads. As the door turneth upon its hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed. The slothful hideth his hand under his armpit, and it grieveth him to turn it to his mouth. The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit, than seven men that speak sentences. As he that taketh a dog by the ears, so is he that passeth by in anger, and meddleth with another man's quarrel. As he is guilty that shooteth arrows, and lances unto death. So is the man that hurteth his friend deceitfully: and when he is taken, saith: I did it in jest. When the wood faileth, the fire shall go out: and when the talebearer is taken away, contentions shall cease. As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire, so an angry man stirreth up strife. The words of a talebearer are as it were simple, but they reach to the innermost parts of the belly. Swelling lips joined with a corrupt heart, are like an earthern vessel adorned with silver dross. An enemy is known by his lips, when in his heart he entertaineth deceit. When he shall speak low, trust him not: because there are seven mischiefs in his heart. He that covereth hatred deceitfully, his malice shall be laid open in the public assembly. He that diggeth a pit, shall fall into it: and he that rolleth a stone, it shall return to him. A deceitful tongue loveth not truth: and a slippery mouth worketh ruin. ”

“The legs of one who has no power of walking are hanging loose; so is a wise saying in the mouth of the foolish. Giving honour to a foolish man is like attempting to keep a stone fixed in a cord. Like a thorn which goes up into the hand of a man overcome by drink, so is a wise saying in the mouth of a foolish man. Like an archer wounding all who go by, is a foolish man overcome by drink. Like a dog going back to the food which he has not been able to keep down, is the foolish man doing his foolish acts over again. Have you seen a man who seems to himself to be wise? There is more hope for the foolish than for him. The hater of work says, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets. A door is turned on its pillar, and the hater of work on his bed. The hater of work puts his hand deep into the basin: lifting it again to his mouth is a weariness to him. The hater of work seems to himself wiser than seven men who are able to give an answer with good sense. He who gets mixed up in a fight which is not his business, is like one who takes a dog by the ears while it is going by. As one who is off his head sends about flaming sticks and arrows of death, So is the man who gets the better of his neighbour by deceit, and says, Am I not doing so in sport? Without wood, the fire goes out; and where there is no secret talk, argument is ended. Like breath on coals and wood on fire, so a man given to argument gets a fight started. The words of one who says evil of his neighbour secretly are like sweet food, they go down into the inner parts of the stomach. Smooth lips and an evil heart are like a vessel of earth plated with silver waste. With his lips the hater makes things seem what they are not, but deceit is stored up inside him; When he says fair words, have no belief in him; for in his heart are seven evils: Though his hate is covered with deceit, his sin will be seen openly before the meeting of the people. He who makes a hole in the earth will himself go falling into it: and on him by whom a stone is rolled the stone will come back again. A false tongue has hate for those who have clean hearts, and a smooth mouth is a cause of falling.”

“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. ”