Proverbs Chapter 26
Proverbs 26 KJV
1. As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.
2. As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come. [1]
[1] Not one of the 126 “anathema” pronounced by the Roman Catholic Church in the Council of Trent will come to pass on anyone who has been regenerated by the Holy Spirit, because “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law” (Gal. 3:13).
3. A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back.
4. Answer not a fool according to his folly, [2] lest thou also be like unto him.
[2] Note the direct contradiction with verse 5. The verse can only be explained by doing personal work (which excludes most Hyperdispensationalists and Bible scholars).
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 the feet, and drinketh damage. [a]
[a] Like Ben-hadad (1 Kings 20:10-20).
7. The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools. [b]
[b] As illustrated by the way the Scholars’ Union handles the parables of Matt. 13.
8. As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
9. As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
10. The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.
11. As a dog returneth to his vomit, [c] so a fool returneth to his folly.
[c] 2 Pet. 2:22.
12. Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? [d] there is more hope of a fool than of him.
[d] Rom. 11:25.
13. The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
14. As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
15. The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.
16. The sluggard [e] is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
[e] Prov. 6:6, 10:26, 13:4, 20:4 cf. Prov. 15:19, 19:24, 21:25, 24:30, 26:13).
17. He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
18. As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
19. So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
20. Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. [f]
[f] James 3:5-6.
21. As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife. [g]
[g] Vss. 21-28 apply prophetically to the Antichrist (Dan. 11:21) and inspirationally to any bad-mouthing gossip (1 Tim. 5:13; 2 Thess. 3:11; 1 Pet. 4:15).
22. The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
23. Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
24. He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
25. When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26. Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.
27. Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
28. A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
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