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Proverbs 26

Highlighted words differ from the KJV. Most differences are matters of wording, style or the age of the English, not of meaning; a few reflect different manuscripts.

  1. 1
    KJVAs snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.
    WEBLike snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.
  2. 2
    KJVAs the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.
    WEBLike a fluttering sparrow, like a darting swallow, so the undeserved curse doesn’t come to rest.
  3. 3
    KJVA whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back.
    WEBA whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools!
  4. 4
    KJVAnswer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
    WEBDon’t answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him.
  5. 5
    KJVAnswer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
    WEBAnswer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.
  6. 6
    KJVHe that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.
    WEBOne who sends a message by the hand of a fool is cutting off feet and drinking violence.
  7. 7
    KJVThe legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
    WEBLike the legs of the lame that hang loose, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
  8. 8
    KJVAs he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
    WEBAs one who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honor to a fool.
  9. 9
    KJVAs a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
    WEBLike a thorn bush that goes into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
  10. 10
    KJVThe great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.
    WEBAs an archer who wounds all, so is he who hires a fool or he who hires those who pass by.
  11. 11
    KJVAs a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.
    WEBAs a dog that returns to his vomit, so is a fool who repeats his folly.
  12. 12
    KJVSeest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
    WEBDo you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
  13. 13
    KJVThe slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
    WEBThe sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! A fierce lion roams the streets!”
  14. 14
    KJVAs the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
    WEBAs the door turns on its hinges, so does the sluggard on his bed.
  15. 15
    KJVThe slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.
    WEBThe sluggard buries his hand in the dish. He is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.
  16. 16
    KJVThe sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
    WEBThe sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer with discretion.
  17. 17
    KJVHe that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
    WEBLike one who grabs a dog’s ears is one who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own.
  18. 18
    KJVAs a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
    WEBLike a madman who shoots torches, arrows, and death,
  19. 19
    KJVSo is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
    WEBis the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “Am I not joking?”
  20. 20
    KJVWhere no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
    WEBFor lack of wood a fire goes out. Without gossip, a quarrel dies down.
  21. 21
    KJVAs coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
    WEBAs coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindling strife.
  22. 22
    KJVThe words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
    WEBThe words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, they go down into the innermost parts.
  23. 23
    KJVBurning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
    WEBLike silver dross on an earthen vessel are the lips of a fervent one with an evil heart.
  24. 24
    KJVHe that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
    WEBA malicious man disguises himself with his lips, but he harbors evil in his heart.
  25. 25
    KJVWhen he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
    WEBWhen his speech is charming, don’t believe him, for there are seven abominations in his heart.
  26. 26
    KJVWhose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.
    WEBHis malice may be concealed by deception, but his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
  27. 27
    KJVWhoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
    WEBWhoever digs a pit shall fall into it. Whoever rolls a stone, it will come back on him.
  28. 28
    KJVA lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
    WEBA lying tongue hates those it hurts; and a flattering mouth works ruin.
  • King James Version (1769 text), public domain outside the United Kingdom, where Crown letters patent apply.
  • World English Bible (WEB), public domain. “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org.