Proverbs 26:16-21 in English

¹⁶ The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit Than seven men that can render a reason.

¹⁷ He that passeth by, and vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him, Is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.

¹⁸ As a madman who casteth firebrands, Arrows, and death,

¹⁹ So is the man that deceiveth his neighbor, And saith, Am not I in sport?

²⁰ For lack of wood the fire goeth out; And where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth.

²¹ As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to inflame strife.

¹⁶ A sluggard seems to himself wiser than one who most satisfactorily brings back a message.

¹⁷ As he that lays hold of a dog's tail, so is he that makes himself the champion of another's cause.

¹⁸ As those who need correction put forth fair words to men, and he that first falls in with the proposal will be overthrown;

¹⁹ so are all that lay wait for their own friends, and when they are discovered, say, I did it in jest.

²⁰ With much wood fire increases; but where there is not a double-minded man, strife ceases.

²¹ A hearth for coals, and wood for fire; and a railing man for the tumult of strife.

¹⁶ The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.

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.

¹⁶ The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.

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.

¹⁶ A sluggard seems to himself wiser than one who most satisfactorily brings back a message.

¹⁷ As he that lays hold of a dog's tail, so is he that makes himself the champion of another's cause.

¹⁸ As those who need correction put forth fair words to men, and he that first falls in with the proposal will be overthrown;

¹⁹ so are all that lay wait for their own friends, and when they are discovered, say, I did it in jest.

²⁰ With much wood fire increases; but where there is not a double-minded man, strife ceases.

²¹ A hearth for coals, and wood for fire; and railing man for the tumult of strife.

¹⁶ The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.

¹⁷ He that passeth by, and vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.

¹⁸ As a madman who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death;

¹⁹ So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?

²⁰ For lack of wood the fire goeth out: and where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth.

²¹ As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to inflame strife.

¹⁶ Lazy people think that they are wiser than seven/several people who can answer others' questions with good sense.

¹⁷ Anyone who ◄meddles/involves himself► in a quarrel that does not concern him is as foolish as SIM someone who tries to grab a passing dog by its ears.

¹⁸ Crazy people who shoot burning arrows to kill people

¹⁹ are as foolish as those who deceive someone else and then say, “I was only joking.”

²⁰ If there is no more firewood to put on the fire, the fire will go out; similarly SIM, if there are no people who ◄gossip/tell people things that are not true►, quarreling will end.

²¹ Putting charcoal on burning coals or putting wood on a fire causes the fire to keep burning; similarly, people who like to quarrel cause people to keep arguing.

¹⁶ A sluggard seems to himself wiser than one who most satisfactorily brings back a message.

¹⁷ As he that lays hold of a dog's tail, so is he that makes himself the champion of another's cause.

¹⁸ As those who need correction put forth fair words to men, and he that first falls in with the proposal will be overthrown;

¹⁹ so are all that lay wait for their own friends, and when they are discovered, say, I did it in jest.

²⁰ With much wood fire increases; but where there is not a double-minded man, strife ceases.

²¹ A hearth for coals, and wood for fire; and railing man for the tumult of strife.

¹⁶ The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer with discretion.

¹⁷ Like one who grabs a dog’s ears is one who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own.

¹⁸ Like a madman who shoots torches, arrows, and death,

¹⁹ is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “Am I not joking?”

²⁰ For lack of wood a fire goes out. Without gossip, a quarrel dies down.

²¹ As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindling strife.

¹⁶ The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer with discretion.

¹⁷ Like one who grabs a dog’s ears is one who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own.

¹⁸ Like a madman who shoots torches, arrows, and death,

¹⁹ is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “Am I not joking?”

²⁰ For lack of wood a fire goes out. Without gossip, a quarrel dies down.

²¹ As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindling strife.

¹⁶ The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer with discretion.

¹⁷ Like one who grabs a dog’s ears is one who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own.

¹⁸ Like a madman who shoots torches, arrows, and death,

¹⁹ is the man who deceives his neighbour and says, “Am I not joking?”

²⁰ For lack of wood a fire goes out. Without gossip, a quarrel dies down.

²¹ As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindling strife.

¹⁶ The hater of work seems to himself wiser than seven men who are able to give an answer with good sense.

¹⁷ He who gets mixed up in a fight which is not his business, is like one who takes a dog by the ears while it is going by.

¹⁸ As one who is off his head sends about flaming sticks and arrows of death,

¹⁹ So is the man who gets the better of his neighbour by deceit, and says, Am I not doing so in sport?

²⁰ Without wood, the fire goes out; and where there is no secret talk, argument is ended.

²¹ Like breath on coals and wood on fire, so a man given to argument gets a fight started.

¹⁶ A sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men that answer discreetly.

¹⁷ He that passing by vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.

¹⁸ As a madman who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,

¹⁹ so is a man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am I not in sport?

²⁰ Where no wood is, the fire goeth out; and where there is no talebearer, the contention ceaseth.

²¹ As coals for hot coals, and wood for fire, so is a contentious man to inflame strife.

¹⁶ The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit, than seven men that speak sentences.

¹⁷ As he that taketh a dog by the ears, so is he that passeth by in anger, and meddleth with another man’s quarrel.

¹⁸ As he is guilty that shooteth arrows, and lances unto death:

¹⁹ So is the man that hurteth his friend deceitfully: and when he is taken, saith: I did it in jest.

²⁰ When the wood faileth, the fire shall go out: and when the talebearer is taken away, contentions shall cease.

²¹ As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire, so an angry man stirreth up strife.

¹⁶ In their own eyes lazy people are wiser than many sensible advisors.

¹⁷ Interfering in someone else's quarrel is like grabbing a stray dog by the ears.

¹⁸ You're like a crazy person firing off blazing arrows and killing people

¹⁹ if you lie to your friend and then say, “I was only joking!”

²⁰ Without wood, the fire goes out; and without gossips, arguments stop.

²¹ An argumentative person fires up quarrels like putting charcoal on hot embers or wood on a fire.

¹⁶ The sluggard is wiser in his owne conceite, then seuen men that can render a reason.

¹⁷ He that passeth by and medleth with the strife that belongeth not vnto him, is as one that taketh a dog by the eares.

¹⁸ As he that faineth himselfe mad, casteth fire brands, arrowes, and mortall things,

¹⁹ So dealeth the deceitfull man with his friend and sayth, Am not I in sport?

²⁰ Without wood the fire is quenched, and without a talebearer strife ceaseth.

²¹ As ye cole maketh burning coles, and wood a fire, so the contentious man is apt to kindle strife.

¹⁶ The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men that give wise answer.

¹⁷ He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife not his own, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.

¹⁸ As a madman 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, the fire goeth out; and where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth.

²¹ As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.

¹⁶ The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit Than seven men that can render a reason.

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.

¹⁶ The slothful is wiser in his own eyes, than seven men that can give wise answers.

¹⁷ As is one that taketh hold of a dog by the ears, so is he that passing by becometh excited about a dispute which concerneth him not.

¹⁸ As one fatigueth himself shooting off firebrands, arrows, and death:

¹⁹ So is the man that hath cheated his neighbor, and saith, Behold, I am only jesting.

²⁰ Where there is no wood, the fire goeth out: so where there is no whisperer, strife is silenced.

²¹ As charcoals are added to burning coals, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man fitted to enkindle a dispute.

¹⁶ A sluggard seems to himself wiser Than one who most satisfactorily brings back a message.

¹⁷ As he that lays hold of a dog’s tail, So is he that makes himself the champion of another’s cause.

¹⁸ As those who need correction put forth fair words to men, And he that first falls in with the proposal will be overthrown;

¹⁹ So are all that lay wait for their own friends, And when they are discovered, say, I did it in jest.

²⁰ With much wood fire increases; But where there is not a double-minded man, strife ceases.

²¹ A hearth for coals, and wood for fire; And a railing man for the tumult of strife.

¹⁶ The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit Than seven men who can render a reason.

¹⁷ As one that taketh a dog by the ears, So is he who, passing by, is enraged on account of the quarrel of another.

¹⁸ As a madman That casteth about darts, arrows, and death,

¹⁹ So is the man who deceiveth his neighbor, And saith, “Was I not in sport?”

²⁰ Where there is no wood, the fire goeth out; So, where there is no talebearer, contention ceaseth.

²¹ As coal is for heat, and as wood for fire, So is a contentious man for kindling strife.

¹⁶ The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer with discretion.

¹⁷ Like one who grabs a dog’s ears is one who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own.

¹⁸ Like a madman who shoots torches, arrows, and death,

¹⁹ is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “Am I not joking?”

²⁰ For lack of wood a fire goes out. Without gossip, a quarrel dies down.

²¹ As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindling strife.

¹⁶ The lazy person is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who respond with good judgment.

¹⁷ Like one who takes hold of the ears of a dog, is a passerby who becomes angry at a dispute that is not his own.

¹⁸ Like a madman who shoots burning arrows,

¹⁹ is the one who deceives his neighbor and says, “Was I not telling a joke?”

²⁰ For lack of wood, the fire goes out; and where there is no gossiper quarreling ceases.

²¹ As charcoal is to burning coals and wood is to fire, so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.

¹⁶ The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer with discretion.

¹⁷ Like one who grabs a dog’s ears is one who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own.

¹⁸ Like a madman who shoots torches, arrows, and death,

¹⁹ is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “Am I not joking?”

²⁰ For lack of wood a fire goes out. Without gossip, a quarrel dies down.

²¹ As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindling strife.

¹⁶ The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer with discretion.

¹⁷ Like one who grabs a dog’s ears is one who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own.

¹⁸ Like a madman who shoots torches, arrows, and death,

¹⁹ is the man who deceives his neighbour and says, “Am I not joking?”

²⁰ For lack of wood a fire goes out. Without gossip, a quarrel dies down.

²¹ As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindling strife.

¹⁶ The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.

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 fire-brands, arrows, and death,

¹⁹ So is the man that deceiveth his neighbor, and saith, Am not I in sport?

²⁰ Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no tale-bearer, the strife ceaseth.

²¹ As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.

¹⁶ The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer with discretion.

¹⁷ Like one who grabs a dog’s ears is one who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own.

¹⁸ Like a madman who shoots torches, arrows, and death,

¹⁹ is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “Am I not joking?”

²⁰ For lack of wood a fire goes out. Without gossip, a quarrel dies down.

²¹ As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindling strife.

¹⁶ The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer with discretion.

¹⁷ Like one who grabs a dog’s ears is one who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own.

¹⁸ Like a madman who shoots torches, arrows, and death,

¹⁹ is the man who deceives his neighbour and says, “Am I not joking?”

²⁰ For lack of wood a fire goes out. Without gossip, a quarrel dies down.

²¹ As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindling strife.

¹⁶ A slow man seemeth wiser to himself, than seven men speaking sentences.

¹⁷ As he that taketh a dog by the ears; so he that passeth, and is unpatient, and is meddled or mingled with the chiding of another man.

¹⁸ As he is guilty, that sendeth spears and arrows into death,

¹⁹ so a man that annoyeth guilefully his friend, and when he is taken, he shall say, I did playing.

²⁰ When trees or woods shall fail, the fire shall be quenched; and when a privy backbiter is withdrawn, strives rest.

²¹ As dead coals at or to quick coals, and trees at the fire or wood to fire; so a wrathful man raiseth chidings.

¹⁶ A slow man seemeth wiser to himself, than seven men speaking sentences. (A lazy person seemeth wiser to himself, than seven people speaking forth their thoughts.)

¹⁷ As he that taketh a dog by the ears; so he that passeth, and is unpatient, and is meddled with the chiding of another man. (Like he who taketh a dog by the ears, is he who passeth by, and is impatient, and is mixed in, or mingled, with the argument of another man.)

¹⁸ As he is guilty, that sendeth spears and arrows into death, (Like he is guilty, who sendeth spears and arrows into uncertainty, causing death,)

¹⁹ so a man that harmeth guilefully his friend, and when he is taken, he shall say, I did playing. (is a person who deceitfully harmeth his friend, and when he is caught, he saith, I was just playing.)

²⁰ When trees fail or When woods shall fail, the fire shall be quenched; and when a privy backbiter is withdrawn, strives rest. (When there is no more wood, the fire shall be quenched; and when a gossip departeth, or stoppeth speaking, the argument shall be ended.)

²¹ As dead coals at quick coals, and trees at the fire, or As dead coals to quick coals, and wood to fire; so a wrathful man (that) raiseth chidings. (Like dead coals to burning coals, and wood to fire, is an angry person who raiseth up arguments, or strife.)

¹⁶ Wiser is the slothful in his own eyes, Than seven men returning a reason.

¹⁷ Laying hold on the ears of a dog, Is a passer-by making himself wrath for strife not his own.

¹⁸ As one pretending to be feeble, Who is casting sparks, arrows, and death,

¹⁹ So hath a man deceived his neighbour, And hath said, 'Am not I playing?'

²⁰ Without wood is fire going out, And without a tale-bearer, contention ceaseth,

²¹ Coal to burning coals, and wood to fire, And a man of contentions to kindle strife.