Proverbs 26
1As sheleg (snow) in kayitz (summer), and as matar (rain) at katzir (harvest), 1 so kavod is not fitting for a kesil (fool). 1
2As the tzippor in its fluttering, as the swallow in its flying, 1 so the kelelah (curse) without cause shall not alight. 1
3A shot (whip) for the sus, a bridle for the chamor, 1 and a shevet for the back of kesilim. 1
4Answer not a kesil (fool) according to his folly, 1 lest thou also be like unto him. 1
5Answer a kesil (fool) according to his folly, 1 lest he be chacham in his own eyes. 1
6He that sendeth a message by the yad of a kesil (fool) 1 cutteth off the raglayim, and drinketh chamas. 1
7The legs of the pisei'ach (lame man) hang limp; 1 so is a mashal in the peh (mouth) of kesilim. 1
8As he that bindeth an even (stone) in a sling, 1 so is he that giveth kavod to a kesil (fool). 1
9As a thornbush goeth up into the yad of a shikkor, 1 so is a mashal in the peh (mouth) of kesilim. 1
10Like an archer wounding all, 1 so is he that hireth the kesil (fool), or hireth the passerby. 1
11As a kelev returneth to his vomit, 1 so a kesil (fool) returneth to his folly. 1
12Seest thou an ish chacham in his own eyes? 1 There is more tikvah (hope) for a kesil (fool) than for him. 1
13The atzel (sluggard, lazy one) saith, There is a lion in the derech; 1 an ari is in the rechovot. 1
14As the delet (door) turneth upon its hinges, 1 so doth the atzel (sluggard, lazy one) upon his mittah (bed). 1
15The atzel (sluggard, lazy one) hideth his yad in his dish; 1 itʼs too tiring to bring it back to his peh (mouth) again. 1
16The atzel (sluggard, lazy one) is chacham in his own eyes, 1 more than seven that give an excellent answer. 1
17He that passeth by, and meddleth in a quarrel that doth not belong to him, 1 is like one that taketh a kelev by the oznayim. 1
18As a mad man who shooteth 1 firebrands, khitzim (arrows), and mavet, 1
19So is the ish that deceiveth his re'a, 1 and saith, Am I not just having a laugh? 1
20Where no wood is, there the eish goeth out; 1 so where there is no nirgan (gossip, slanderer, talebearer), the strife dieth down. 1
21As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to eish; 1 so is a contentious ish to kindle strife. 1
22The devarim of a nirgan (gossip, slanderer, talebearer) are like tasty morsels, 1 and they go down into the innermost chambers of the beten. 1
23Fervent sfatayim (lips) and a lev rah 1 are like earthenware covered with silver dross. 1
24He that hateth disguises it with his sfatayim (lips), 1 and within harboreth mirmah (deceit); 1
25When he speaketh fair, believe him not; 1 for there are sheva to'avot in his lev. 1
26Whose hatred is covered by guile, 1 yet his wickedness shall be exposed before the whole kahal. 1
27He who diggeth a shachat (pit) shall fall therein, 1 and he that rolleth an even (stone), 1 it will roll back upon him. 1
28A lashon sheker hateth those that are crushed by it; 1 and a flattering peh (mouth) worketh ruin.