{"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/erv/proverbs/26","llmTxt":"https://primebible.com/llms.txt","generatedAt":"2026-05-30T19:32:58.454Z"},"reference":{"translation":"ERV","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 honour 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 lighteth 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 a bag of gems in a heap of stones, so is he that giveth honour to a fool."},{"verseNumber":9,"text":"As a thorn that goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the month of fools."},{"verseNumber":10,"text":"As an archer that woundeth all, so is he that hireth the 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 neighbour, 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 of the belly."},{"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 shewed before the congregation."},{"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 (ERV)","markdown":"[Proverbs 26](https://primebible.com/erv/proverbs/26)","sbl":"Prime Bible. *The Bible.* ERV. https://primebible.com/erv/proverbs/26 (accessed 2026-05-30)."}}