---
title: "Proverbs 26 — World English Bible | Favorite Scriptures"
description: "Read Proverbs 26 in the World English Bible. Free Bible reading, no account needed. Browse books and chapters, then save favorite passages in your personal library."
last_updated: "2026-10-08"
doc_version: "1"
language: "en"
canonical: "https://favoritescriptures.com/bible/proverbs/26"
---

[Home](/)/[Bible](/bible)/[Proverbs](/bible/proverbs)/26

World English Bible

# Proverbs 26

[1](#verse-1) Like snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.

[2](#verse-2) Like a fluttering sparrow, like a darting swallow, so the undeserved curse doesn’t come to rest.

[3](#verse-3) A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools!

[4](#verse-4) Don’t answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him.

[5](#verse-5) Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.

[6](#verse-6) One who sends a message by the hand of a fool is cutting off feet and drinking violence.

[7](#verse-7) Like the legs of the lame that hang loose, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

[8](#verse-8) As one who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honor to a fool.

[9](#verse-9) Like a thorn bush that goes into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

[10](#verse-10) As an archer who wounds all, so is he who hires a fool or he who hires those who pass by.

[11](#verse-11) As a dog that returns to his vomit, so is a fool who repeats his folly.

[12](#verse-12) Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

[13](#verse-13) The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! A fierce lion roams the streets!”

[14](#verse-14) As the door turns on its hinges, so does the sluggard on his bed.

[15](#verse-15) The sluggard buries his hand in the dish. He is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.

[16](#verse-16) The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer with discretion.

[17](#verse-17) Like one who grabs a dog’s ears is one who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own.

[18](#verse-18) Like a madman who shoots torches, arrows, and death,

[19](#verse-19) is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “Am I not joking?”

[20](#verse-20) For lack of wood a fire goes out. Without gossip, a quarrel dies down.

[21](#verse-21) As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindling strife.

[22](#verse-22) The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, they go down into the innermost parts.

[23](#verse-23) Like silver dross on an earthen vessel are the lips of a fervent one with an evil heart.

[24](#verse-24) A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, but he harbors evil in his heart.

[25](#verse-25) When his speech is charming, don’t believe him, for there are seven abominations in his heart.

[26](#verse-26) His malice may be concealed by deception, but his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.

[27](#verse-27) Whoever digs a pit shall fall into it. Whoever rolls a stone, it will come back on him.

[28](#verse-28) A lying tongue hates those it hurts; and a flattering mouth works ruin.

[← Proverbs 25](/bible/proverbs/25)[Proverbs 27 →](/bible/proverbs/27)

World English Bible · Public domain

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