ASV - Proverbs Chapter 26 to 28

26 Proverbs 26

¹As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, So honor is not seemly for a fool. ²As the sparrow in her wandering, as the swallow in her flying, So the curse that is causeless alighteth not. ³A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, And a rod for the back of fools. 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 his own feet, and drinketh in damage. ⁷The legs of the lame hang loose: So is a parable in the mouth of fools. ⁸As one that bindeth a stone in a sling, So is he that giveth honor to a fool. ⁹As a thorn that goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, So is a parable in the mouth of fools. ¹⁰As an archer that woundeth all, So is he that hireth a fool and he that hireth them that pass by. ¹¹As a dog that returneth to his vomit, So is a fool that repeateth his folly. ¹²Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him. ¹³The sluggard saith, There is a lion in the way; A lion is in the streets. ¹⁴As the door turneth upon its hinges, So doth the sluggard upon his bed. ¹⁵The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish; It wearieth him to bring it again to his mouth. ¹⁶The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit Than seven men that can render a reason. ¹⁷He that passeth by, and vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him, Is like one that taketh a dog by the ears. ¹⁸As a madman who casteth firebrands, Arrows, and death, ¹⁹So is the man that deceiveth his neighbor, And saith, Am not I in sport? ²⁰For lack of wood the fire goeth out; And where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth. ²¹As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to inflame strife. ²²The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts. ²³Fervent lips and a wicked heart Are like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross. ²⁴He that hateth dissembleth with his lips; But he layeth up deceit within him: ²⁵When he speaketh fair, believe him not; For there are seven abominations in his heart: ²⁶Though his hatred cover itself with guile, His wickedness shall be openly showed before the assembly. ²⁷Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein; And he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him. ²⁸A lying tongue hateth those whom it hath wounded; And a flattering mouth worketh ruin.

27 Proverbs 27

¹Boast not thyself of tomorrow; For thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. ²Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; A stranger, and not thine own lips. ³A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; But a fool's vexation is heavier than they both. ⁴Wrath is cruel, and anger is overwhelming; But who is able to stand before jealousy? ⁵Better is open rebuke Than love that is hidden. ⁶Faithful are the wounds of a friend; But the kisses of an enemy are profuse. ⁷The full soul loatheth a honeycomb; But to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet. ⁸As a bird that wandereth from her nest, So is a man that wandereth from his place. ⁹Oil and perfume rejoice the heart; So doth the sweetness of a man's friend that cometh of hearty counsel. ¹⁰Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not; And go not to thy brother's house in the day of thy calamity: Better is a neighbor that is near than a brother far off. ¹¹My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, That I may answer him that reproacheth me. ¹²A prudent man seeth the evil, and hideth himself; But the simple pass on, and suffer for it. ¹³Take his garment that is surety for a stranger; And hold him in pledge that is surety for a foreign woman. ¹⁴He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, It shall be counted a curse to him. ¹⁵A continual dropping in a very rainy day And a contentious woman are alike: ¹⁶He that would restrain her restraineth the wind; And his right hand encountereth oil. ¹⁷Iron sharpeneth iron; So a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. ¹⁸Whoso keepeth the fig-tree shall eat the fruit thereof; And he that regardeth his master shall be honored. ¹⁹As in water face answereth to face, So the heart of man to man. ²⁰Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied; And the eyes of man are never satisfied. ²¹The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; And a man is tried by his praise. ²²Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with bruised grain, Yet will not his foolishness depart from him. ²³Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, And look well to thy herds: ²⁴For riches are not for ever: And doth the crown endure unto all generations? ²⁵The hay is carried, and the tender grass showeth itself, And the herbs of the mountains are gathered in. ²⁶The lambs are for thy clothing, And the goats are the price of the field; ²⁷And there will be goats' milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, And maintenance for thy maidens.

28 Proverbs 28

¹The wicked flee when no man pursueth; But the righteous are bold as a lion. ²For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof; But by men of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged. ³A needy man that oppresseth the poor Is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food. ⁴They that forsake the law praise the wicked; But such as keep the law contend with them. ⁵Evil men understand not justice; But they that seek Jehovah understand all things. ⁶Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, Than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich. ⁷Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son; But he that is a companion of gluttons shameth his father. ⁸He that augmenteth his substance by interest and increase, Gathereth it for him that hath pity on the poor. ⁹He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer is an abomination. ¹⁰Whoso causeth the upright to go astray in an evil way, He shall fall himself into his own pit; But the perfect shall inherit good. ¹¹The rich man is wise in his own conceit; But the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out. ¹²When the righteous triumph, there is great glory; But when the wicked rise, men hide themselves. ¹³He that covereth his transgressions shall not prosper: But whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall obtain mercy. ¹⁴Happy is the man that feareth alway; But he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief. ¹⁵As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear, So is a wicked ruler over a poor people. ¹⁶The prince that lacketh understanding is also a great oppressor; But he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days. ¹⁷A man that is laden with the blood of any person Shall flee unto the pit; let no man stay him. ¹⁸Whoso walketh uprightly shall be delivered; But he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once. ¹⁹He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread; But he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough. ²⁰A faithful man shall abound with blessings; But he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be unpunished. ²¹To have respect of persons is not good; Neither that a man should transgress for a piece of bread. ²²he that hath an evil eye hasteth after riches, And knoweth not that want shall come upon him. ²³He that rebuketh a man shall afterward find more favor Than he that flattereth with the tongue. ²⁴Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression, The same is the companion of a destroyer. ²⁵He that is of a greedy spirit stirreth up strife; But he that putteth his trust in Jehovah shall be made fat. ²⁶He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool; But whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered. ²⁷He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack; But he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse. ²⁸When the wicked rise, men hide themselves; But when they perish, the righteous increase.