{"meta":{"source":"Prime Bible","sourceUrl":"https://primebible.com","license":"Public domain (translation text); see citation policy at /citation-policy","organization":"501(c)(3) nonprofit — EIN 41-2531951","canonicalUrl":"https://primebible.com/asv/proverbs/26","llmTxt":"https://primebible.com/llms.txt","generatedAt":"2026-05-31T03:20:23.399Z"},"reference":{"translation":"ASV","book":"Proverbs","bookSlug":"proverbs","chapter":26,"testament":"OLD"},"navigation":{"previousChapter":25,"nextChapter":27,"totalChapters":31,"totalVerses":28},"verses":[{"verseNumber":1,"text":"As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, So honor is not seemly for a fool."},{"verseNumber":2,"text":"As the sparrow in her wandering, as the swallow in her flying, So the curse that is causeless alighteth not."},{"verseNumber":3,"text":"A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, And a rod for the back of fools."},{"verseNumber":4,"text":"Answer not a fool according to his folly, Lest thou also be like unto him."},{"verseNumber":5,"text":"Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own conceit."},{"verseNumber":6,"text":"He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool Cutteth off his own feet, and drinketh in damage."},{"verseNumber":7,"text":"The legs of the lame hang loose: So is a parable in the mouth of fools."},{"verseNumber":8,"text":"As one that bindeth a stone in a sling, So is he that giveth honor to a fool."},{"verseNumber":9,"text":"As a thorn that goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, So is a parable in the mouth of fools."},{"verseNumber":10,"text":"As an archer that woundeth all, So is he that hireth a fool and he that hireth them that pass by."},{"verseNumber":11,"text":"As a dog that returneth to his vomit,'so is a fool that repeateth his folly."},{"verseNumber":12,"text":"Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him."},{"verseNumber":13,"text":"The sluggard saith, There is a lion in the way; A lion is in the streets."},{"verseNumber":14,"text":"As the door turneth upon its hinges, So doth the sluggard upon his bed."},{"verseNumber":15,"text":"The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish; It wearieth him to bring it again to his mouth."},{"verseNumber":16,"text":"The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit Than seven men that can render a reason."},{"verseNumber":17,"text":"He that passeth by, and vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him, Is like one that taketh a dog by the ears."},{"verseNumber":18,"text":"As a madman who casteth firebrands, Arrows, and death,"},{"verseNumber":19,"text":"So is the man that deceiveth his neighbor, And saith, Am not I in sport?"},{"verseNumber":20,"text":"For lack of wood the fire goeth out; And where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth."},{"verseNumber":21,"text":"As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to inflame strife."},{"verseNumber":22,"text":"The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts."},{"verseNumber":23,"text":"Fervent lips and a wicked heart Are like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross."},{"verseNumber":24,"text":"He that hateth dissembleth with his lips; But he layeth up deceit within him:"},{"verseNumber":25,"text":"When he speaketh fair, believe him not; For there are seven abominations in his heart:"},{"verseNumber":26,"text":"Though his hatred cover itself with guile, His wickedness shall be openly showed before the assembly."},{"verseNumber":27,"text":"Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein; And he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him."},{"verseNumber":28,"text":"A lying tongue hateth those whom it hath wounded; And a flattering mouth worketh ruin."}],"citation":{"inline":"Proverbs 26 (ASV)","markdown":"[Proverbs 26](https://primebible.com/asv/proverbs/26)","sbl":"Prime Bible. *The Bible.* ASV. https://primebible.com/asv/proverbs/26 (accessed 2026-05-31)."}}