Proverbs 26
Words for fools and lazy people
Text
Explanation
.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.
  1 - Honor is not ... for a fool From scanning through this chapter, and others in Proverbs, we might get the idea that God dislikes the mentally disabled. Of course this is not so. Perhaps Solomon felt that people should think and act and learn responsibly, but the more important lesson is about spiritual foolishness and wisdom. We choose to follow God's way or to reject it.
.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. 
  Answer not a fool ... Answer a fool Did Solomon's scribe make a typo? No. We can follow both verses. The term, ki, "according to." in the first verse may be understood to mean "in harmony with" and in the next verse, to mean "as it deserves." So we may keep from becoming entangled in foolish argument ro1401, while responding in a way that clarifies the foolishness of the question. Jesus answered with this wisdom a number of times. For example, the case of paying taxes mt2215-22.
 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.
  9 - Goeth up into the hand May be better translated, "comes into the possession (hand) of."
 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?
  10 - This verse may be translated quite differently seeing that the word for "great" may mean "archer" or "arrow" as in je5029. See other translations.
  11 - Dog returneth Paul expands the concept 2pe0222.
  13 - Lion Also pr2213.
 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.
  27 - Seven abominations A full set. Compare pr2416.
  26 - Deceit Practiced easily when holding hatred v28. God will expose it in the end. pr1213, ps00716, ps00917.
Previous
Next
Proverbs home
Commentary home
Contact