The Reading
Proverbs 26
Like snow in the summer and like rain at the harvest,
so honor is not fitting for a fool.
Like the sparrow is to fluttering and like the swallow is to flying,
so an undeserved curse does not go forth.
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,
and a rod for the back of fools.
Do not answer a fool according to his folly
lest you become like him—even you.
Answer a fool according to his folly,
or else he will be wise in his own eyes.
Like cutting off feet or drinking violence,
so is he who sends messages in the hand of a fool.
Like legs that hang limp from a lame person,
so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
Like binding a stone in a sling,
so is giving honor to a fool.
Like a thorn that goes up in the hand of a drunkard,
so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
Like an archer who wounds everyone,
so is he who hires a fool or he who hires passersby.
Like a dog returning to his vomit
is a fool reverting to his folly.
Do you see a man wise in his own eyes?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.
A lazy person says "A lion is in the road!
A lion among the streets!"
The door turns on its hinge,
and a lazy person on his bed.
A lazy person buries his hands in the dish;
he is too tired to return it to his mouth.
A lazy person is wiser in his eyes
than seven who answer discreetly.
Grabbing onto the ears of a dog
passing by is one who meddles in a quarrel that is not his own.
Like a maniac who shoots
firebrands, arrows, and death,
so is a man who deceives his neighbor,
but says "Am I not joking?"
For lack of wood, a fire goes out,
and where there is no whisperer, quarreling will cease.
As charcoal is to hot embers and wood is to fire,
so a man of quarrels is to kindling strife.
The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels,
and they go down to the inner parts of the body.
Like impure silver which overlays an earthen vessel,
so are smooth lips and an evil heart.
On his lips, an enemy will pretend,
but inside he will harbor deceit.
When he makes his voice gracious, do not believe him,
for seven abominations are in his heart.
Though hatred is covered with guile,
its evil will be exposed in the assembly.
He who digs a pit, in it he will fall,
and he who rolls a stone, on him it will come back.
A tongue of deceit hates its victim,
and a flattering mouth makes ruin.
Proverbs 27
Do not boast about tomorrow,
for you do not know what the day will bring.
May another praise you and not your own mouth,
a stranger and not your own lips.
Heavy is a stone and weighty is sand,
but the provocation of a fool is heavier than both of them.
Cruel is wrath and overwhelming is anger,
but who will stand before jealousy?
Better a rebuke that is open
than a love that is hidden.
The wounds of a friend mean well,
but the kisses of an enemy are profane.
An appetite that is sated spurns honey,
but to an appetite that is ravenous, all bitterness is sweet.
Like a bird that strays from its nest,
so is a man who strays from his place.
Perfume and incense will gladden a heart,
and the pleasantness of one's friend is personal advice.
As for your friend and a friend of your father, do not forsake them,
and the house of your brother, do not enter on the day of your calamity.
Better is a close neighbor than a distant brother.
Be wise, my child, and make my heart glad,
and I will answer him who reproaches me with a word.
When the clever sees danger, he hides;
the simple go on and suffer.
Take his garment, for he gives surety to a stranger,
and to an adulteress—so take his pledge.
He who blesses his neighbor with a loud voice
early in the morning,
a curse will be reckoned to him.
Dripping constantly on a day of heavy rain
and a woman of contention are alike.
In restraining her, he restrains wind,
and his right hand will grasp oil.
As iron sharpens iron,
so one man sharpens another.
He who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit,