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English Revised Version

3 min read
1

As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour 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 lighteth 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 a bag of gems in a heap of stones, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.

9

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

10

As an archer that woundeth all, so is he that hireth the 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 neighbour, 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 of the belly.

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 shewed before the congregation.

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 (ERV) — copy in your preferred format.

Proverbs 26 (ERV). Prime Bible, accessed July 22, 2026. https://primebible.com/erv/proverbs/26.
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https://primebible.com/erv/proverbs/26
SBL
Proverbs 26 (ERV). Prime Bible, accessed July 22, 2026. https://primebible.com/erv/proverbs/26.
APA
Prime Bible. (1885/2026). Proverbs 26. In *The Holy Bible* (English Revised Version). https://primebible.com/erv/proverbs/26
MLA
"Proverbs 26." *The Holy Bible*, English Revised Version ed., Prime Bible, https://primebible.com/erv/proverbs/26. Accessed July 22, 2026.
Chicago
*The Holy Bible*, English Revised Version (1885), Proverbs 26, Prime Bible, accessed July 22, 2026, https://primebible.com/erv/proverbs/26.
BibTeX
@misc{Bible:ERV:proverbs:26, title = {{Proverbs 26}}, author = {{The Holy Bible}}, edition = {English Revised Version}, year = {1885}, publisher = {Prime Bible}, url = {https://primebible.com/erv/proverbs/26}, urldate = {2026-07-22}, note = {501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 41-2531951} }
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[Proverbs 26 (ERV)](https://primebible.com/erv/proverbs/26)

Prime Bible is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. The ERV 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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