Proverbs 26:2-12
New American Standard Bible
Chapter 26
2Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, So a curse without cause does not come to rest. 3A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, And a rod for the back of fools. 4Do not answer a fool according to his foolishness, Or you will also be like him. 5Answer a fool as his foolishness deserves, So that he will not be wise in his own eyes. 6One who sends a message by the hand of a fool Chops off his own feet and drinks violence. 7 Like useless legs to one who cannot walk, So is a proverb in the mouths of fools. 8Like one who binds a stone in a sling, So is one who gives honor to a fool. 9 Like a thorn that sticks in the hand of a heavy drinker, So is a proverb in the mouths of fools. 10 Like an archer who wounds everyone, So is one who hires a fool or hires those who pass by. 11Like a dog that returns to its vomit, So is a fool who repeats his foolishness. 12Do you see a person wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.King James Version
Chapter 26
2As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.
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.
Christian Standard Bible
Chapter 26
2Like a flitting sparrow or a fluttering swallow, an undeserved curse goes nowhere. 3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools. 4Don't answer a fool according to his foolishness or you'll be like him yourself. 5Answer a fool according to his foolishness or he'll become wise in his own eyes. 6The one who sends a message by a fool's hand cuts off his own feet and drinks violence. 7A proverb in the mouth of a fool is like lame legs that hang limp. 8Giving honor to a fool is like binding a stone in a sling. 9A proverb in the mouth of a fool is like a stick with thorns, brandished by the hand of a drunkard. 10The one who hires a fool or who hires those passing by is like an archer who wounds everyone indiscriminately. 11As a dog returns to its vomit, so also a fool repeats his foolishness.New Living Translation
English Standard Version
Chapter 26
2Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, a curse that is causeless does not alight. 3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools. 4Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself. 5Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes. 6Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence. 7Like a lame man’s legs, which hang useless, is a proverb in the mouth of fools. 8Like one who binds the stone in the sling is one who gives honor to a fool. 9Like a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of fools. 10Like an archer who wounds everyone is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard. 11Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly. 12Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.New International Version
Chapter 26
2Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest. 3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools! 4Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him. 5Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes. 6Sending a message by the hands of a fool is like cutting off one's feet or drinking poison. 7Like the useless legs of one who is lame is a proverb in the mouth of a fool. 8Like tying a stone in a sling is the giving of honor to a fool. 9Like a thornbush in a drunkard's hand is a proverb in the mouth of a fool. 10Like an archer who wounds at random is one who hires a fool or any passer-by. 11As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly.New King James Version
