Proverbs 26 in plain modern English. New Ground English Translation.
Time Period
Originally from Solomon (~970-930 BC), collected during Hezekiah's reign (~715-686 BC)
Location
Jerusalem, Kingdom of Judah
Audience
The people of Judah, court officials, and leaders
Situation
Proverbs 26 is a concentrated study of three character types: the fool (vv.1-12), the lazy person (vv.13-16), and the troublemaker/gossip (vv.17-28).
Key Background
This chapter contains some of the most humorous and biting observations in the Bible — the lazy man who won't take his hand out of the dish (v.15), the apparent contradiction about answering fools (vv.4-5), and the vivid 'dog returns to its vomit' comparison (v.11, later quoted by Peter in 2 Peter 2:22). The careful structure suggests intentional arrangement by Hezekiah's editors. The satire reflects wisdom's role in ancient Israel not just as moral instruction but as sharp social commentary.
Like snow in summer or rain at harvest, doesn't fit a
Like a sparrow darting or a swallow swooping, an undeserved never lands.
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a for the back of a fool.
Don't answer a fool on own or you'll become just like him.
Answer a fool on his own terms, or he'll think he's actually
Sending a message through a fool is like cutting off your own feet — you're just down
A in the mouth of a fool is like legs that hang limp — useless.
Giving honor to a fool is like a a — it defeats the whole purpose.
A proverb in the mouth of a fool is like a waved around by a drunk.
Someone who hires a fool or hires whoever walks by is like an who at
Like a dog that goes back to its own vomit, a fool repeats his
You see someone who There's more hope for a fool than for them.
The says, "There's a lion in the road! A lion prowling the streets!"
A door on its hinges, and a lazy person on their bed.
The lazy person their in the but can't be bothered to bring it back to their mouth.
The lazy person thinks they're wiser than people who give
Someone who a by the — that's what it's like to get involved in someone else's argument.
Like a shooting flaming arrows and deadly weapons —
that's what someone is like who their neighbor and then says, "I was just joking!"
Without wood, a fire goes out, and without a dies down.
Charcoal fuels hot coals and wood fuels fire, and a fuels
The words of a gossip are like of — they slide right down into your gut.
Smooth words over a are like on a cheap clay pot.
Someone who hates you will it with their words, but inside they're storing up
When they speak kindly, don't believe them — there are of in their heart.
Their hatred may be hidden behind a mask, but their evil will be for to
Whoever a will fall into it, and whoever rolls a boulder will have it roll back on them.
A hates the people it crushes, and a sets them up for ruin.