Proverbs26

Proverbs 26 warns against the folly of fools, stating that honor is unfitting for them and they are prone to repeat their mistakes. The chapter also condemns slothfulness, portraying the lazy person as full of excuses and self-conceit. Furthermore, it addresses the dangers of strife, talebearing, and deceit, emphasizing that hidden hatred and malicious actions ultimately lead to self-destruction.
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Proverbs on the Fool and Folly

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. ​
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, 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 the feet, and drinketh damage. ​
7
The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools. ​
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, so a fool returneth to his folly. ​
12
Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him. ​

The Folly of the Sluggard

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 is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason. ​

Avoiding Strife and Gossip

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. ​
21
As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
22
The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. ​

The Danger of Deceit and Malice

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. ​

Study Notes for Proverbs 26

Verse 1

This verse establishes the central theme: honor and respect are utterly inappropriate for a fool, just as untimely weather is destructive to agriculture.

Verse 2

A theological assurance that unjustified hostility or curses lack efficacy. Just as a bird does not land randomly, a curse must have a legitimate cause to take hold; God prevents random evil.

Verse 4

This verse and the next form a famous paradox regarding interacting with foolishness. V. 4 warns against descending to the fool's level, thereby losing personal dignity and wisdom.

Verse 5

Conversely, V. 5 advises answering the fool when necessary to challenge his self-perception, preventing him from believing his own foolishness is wisdom or truth.

Verse 6

Using a fool as an agent or messenger guarantees failure and self-inflicted harm, metaphorically 'cutting off the feet' of the errand.

Verse 7

The comparison here signifies that a fool cannot properly handle or apply wisdom (a parable). The wisdom is distorted or rendered useless, like the uneven steps of a lame man.

Verse 10

This verse is notoriously difficult to translate. It either means that God (the Great One) rewards all people according to their deeds, or (following other interpretations) that a master/archer recklessly hires or wounds everyone, regardless of worth.

Verse 11

A powerful and visceral image emphasizing the fool's repetitive, cyclical nature of error. Folly is habitual and deeply ingrained, making true repentance difficult.

Verse 12

The worst kind of fool is the one who is arrogant (wise in his own conceit). Unlike the simple fool who might learn, the arrogant man is closed off to instruction, making his condition hopeless.

Verse 13

The slothful man uses absurd, exaggerated excuses (a lion in the streets) to avoid work, demonstrating a lack of responsibility rather than genuine danger.

Verse 14

This vivid simile illustrates the sluggard’s total lack of productive movement. His life revolves around his bed, just as a door revolves uselessly on its hinges.

Verse 15

A hyperbolic image emphasizing extreme laziness: the sluggard finds it too much effort even to lift his hand from his tunic to feed himself.

Verse 16

Like the fool in V. 12, the sluggard's primary sin is arrogance. He believes his excuses and inaction are justified, viewing himself as superior to those who actually work and plan ('render a reason').

Verse 17

The proverb warns against reckless intervention in disputes that do not concern the observer. Meddling guarantees pain and trouble, likened to the danger of grabbing a wild dog by the ears.

Verse 18

This describes malicious deception, comparing the perpetrator to a dangerous lunatic who throws deadly weapons indiscriminately.

Verse 19

The deceitful man uses the excuse of 'sport' or 'joking' to cover the real damage inflicted by his lies or malicious actions, refusing to take responsibility.

Verse 20

A powerful lesson in conflict resolution: removing the source of gossip and malicious talk ('talebearer') is essential to extinguishing strife, just as removing fuel stops a fire.

Verse 22

Gossip is not superficial; the words of a talebearer inflict deep, lasting spiritual and emotional wounds (going down into the innermost parts of the belly).

Verse 23

This is a metaphor for hypocrisy. 'Burning lips' (passionate or flattering speech) covering a 'wicked heart' is like cheap silver plating (dross) covering worthless clay.

Verse 25

A direct warning against trusting insincere flattery. The 'seven abominations' is a biblical idiom for completeness, signifying hatred that is deep-seated and absolute.

Verse 27

A classic statement of the principle of retribution (poetic justice). The evil intended for others will inevitably boomerang onto the plotter himself.

Verse 28

The lying tongue hates those it harms because it fears exposure and consequence. Conversely, flattery, though seemingly kind, is ultimately a tool designed to manipulate and destroy the victim.

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