{"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/web/proverbs/26","llmTxt":"https://primebible.com/llms.txt","generatedAt":"2026-06-09T21:53:04.809Z"},"reference":{"translation":"WEB","book":"Proverbs","bookSlug":"proverbs","chapter":26,"testament":"OLD"},"navigation":{"previousChapter":25,"nextChapter":27,"totalChapters":31,"totalVerses":28},"verses":[{"verseNumber":1,"text":"Like snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool."},{"verseNumber":2,"text":"Like a fluttering sparrow, like a darting swallow, so the undeserved curse doesn't come to rest."},{"verseNumber":3,"text":"A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools!"},{"verseNumber":4,"text":"Don't answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him."},{"verseNumber":5,"text":"Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes."},{"verseNumber":6,"text":"One who sends a message by the hand of a fool is cutting off feet and drinking violence."},{"verseNumber":7,"text":"Like the legs of the lame that hang loose: so is a parable in the mouth of fools."},{"verseNumber":8,"text":"As one who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honor to a fool."},{"verseNumber":9,"text":"Like a thornbush that goes into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools."},{"verseNumber":10,"text":"As an archer who wounds all, so is he who hires a fool or he who hires those who pass by."},{"verseNumber":11,"text":"As a dog that returns to his vomit, so is a fool who repeats his folly."},{"verseNumber":12,"text":"Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him."},{"verseNumber":13,"text":"The sluggard says, |There is a lion in the road! A fierce lion roams the streets!|"},{"verseNumber":14,"text":"As the door turns on its hinges, so does the sluggard on his bed."},{"verseNumber":15,"text":"The sluggard buries his hand in the dish. He is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth."},{"verseNumber":16,"text":"The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer with discretion."},{"verseNumber":17,"text":"Like one who grabs a dog's ears is one who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own."},{"verseNumber":18,"text":"Like a madman who shoots torches, arrows, and death,"},{"verseNumber":19,"text":"is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, |Am I not joking?|"},{"verseNumber":20,"text":"For lack of wood a fire goes out. Without gossip, a quarrel dies down."},{"verseNumber":21,"text":"As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindling strife."},{"verseNumber":22,"text":"The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, they go down into the innermost parts."},{"verseNumber":23,"text":"Like silver dross on an earthen vessel are the lips of a fervent one with an evil heart."},{"verseNumber":24,"text":"A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, but he harbors evil in his heart."},{"verseNumber":25,"text":"When his speech is charming, don't believe him; for there are seven abominations in his heart."},{"verseNumber":26,"text":"His malice may be concealed by deception, but his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly."},{"verseNumber":27,"text":"Whoever digs a pit shall fall into it. Whoever rolls a stone, it will come back on him."},{"verseNumber":28,"text":"A lying tongue hates those it hurts; and a flattering mouth works ruin."}],"citation":{"inline":"Proverbs 26 (WEB)","markdown":"[Proverbs 26](https://primebible.com/web/proverbs/26)","sbl":"Prime Bible. *The Bible.* WEB. https://primebible.com/web/proverbs/26 (accessed 2026-06-09)."}}