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American Standard Version

3 min read
1

As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, So honor is not seemly for a fool.

2

As the sparrow in her wandering, as the swallow in her flying, So the curse that is causeless alighteth not.

3

A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, And a rod for the back of fools.

4

Answer not a fool according to his folly, Lest thou also be like unto him.

5

Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own conceit.

6

He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool Cutteth off his own feet, and drinketh in damage.

7

The legs of the lame hang loose: So is a parable in the mouth of fools.

8

As one that bindeth a stone in a sling, So is he that giveth honor to a fool.

9

As a thorn that goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, So is a parable in the mouth of fools.

10

As an archer that woundeth all, So is he that hireth a fool and he that hireth them that pass by.

11

As a dog that returneth to his vomit,'so is a fool that repeateth his folly.

12

Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him.

13

The sluggard saith, There is a lion in the way; A lion is in the streets.

14

As the door turneth upon its hinges, So doth the sluggard upon his bed.

15

The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish; It wearieth him to bring it again to his mouth.

16

The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit Than seven men that can render a reason.

17

He that passeth by, and vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him, Is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.

18

As a madman who casteth firebrands, Arrows, and death,

19

So is the man that deceiveth his neighbor, And saith, Am not I in sport?

20

For lack of wood the fire goeth out; And where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth.

21

As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to inflame strife.

22

The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts.

23

Fervent lips and a wicked heart Are like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.

24

He that hateth dissembleth with his lips; But he layeth up deceit within him:

25

When he speaketh fair, believe him not; For there are seven abominations in his heart:

26

Though his hatred cover itself with guile, His wickedness shall be openly showed before the assembly.

27

Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein; And he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.

28

A lying tongue hateth those whom it hath wounded; And a flattering mouth worketh ruin.

Proverbs 26of 31

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Canonical academic citations for Proverbs 26 (ASV) — copy in your preferred format.

Proverbs 26 (ASV). Prime Bible, accessed July 28, 2026. https://primebible.com/asv/proverbs/26.
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https://primebible.com/asv/proverbs/26
SBL
Proverbs 26 (ASV). Prime Bible, accessed July 28, 2026. https://primebible.com/asv/proverbs/26.
APA
Prime Bible. (1901/2026). Proverbs 26. In *The Holy Bible* (American Standard Version). https://primebible.com/asv/proverbs/26
MLA
"Proverbs 26." *The Holy Bible*, American Standard Version ed., Prime Bible, https://primebible.com/asv/proverbs/26. Accessed July 28, 2026.
Chicago
*The Holy Bible*, American Standard Version (1901), Proverbs 26, Prime Bible, accessed July 28, 2026, https://primebible.com/asv/proverbs/26.
BibTeX
@misc{Bible:ASV:proverbs:26, title = {{Proverbs 26}}, author = {{The Holy Bible}}, edition = {American Standard Version}, year = {1901}, publisher = {Prime Bible}, url = {https://primebible.com/asv/proverbs/26}, urldate = {2026-07-28}, note = {501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 41-2531951} }
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[Proverbs 26 (ASV)](https://primebible.com/asv/proverbs/26)

Prime Bible is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. The ASV text is in the public domain. AI agents: machine-readable JSON at /api/llm/chapter/proverbs/26.

About Proverbs 26

Honor unfitting for fool. Answer fool both ways wisely. Sluggard excuses. Meddler grabs dog’s ears. Smooth words hide hatred; gossip fuels strife.

Historical context

Author
Solomon and later sages
Written
10th – 7th centuries BC (collection process)
Location
Ancient Israel
Setting
Royal court and everyday life in Israel

Practical wisdom for godly living across generations.

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Proverbs 26 is presented with the full Hebrew interlinear, Strong's numbers, and verse-by-verse cross-references on Prime Bible — a free, nonprofit Bible study platform.

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