Proverbs 26:2-9 in English

² As the sparrow in her wandering, as the swallow in her flying, So the curse that is causeless alighteth not.

³ A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, And a rod for the back of fools.

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 his own feet, and drinketh in damage.

⁷ The legs of the lame hang loose; So is a parable in the mouth of fools.

⁸ As one that bindeth a stone in a sling, So is he that giveth honor to a fool.

⁹ As a thorn that goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, So is a parable in the mouth of fools.

² As birds and sparrows fly, so a curse shall not come upon any one without a cause.

³ As a whip for a horse, and a goad for an ass, so is a rod for a simple nation.

⁴ Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou become like him.

⁵ Yet answer a fool according to his folly, lest he seem wise in his own conceit.

⁶ He that sends a message by a foolish messenger procures for himself a reproach from his own ways.

⁷ As well take away the motion of the legs, as transgression from the mouth of fools.

⁸ He that binds up a stone in a sling, is like one that gives glory to a fool.

⁹ Thorns grow in the hand of a drunkard, and servitude in the hand of fools.

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.

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.

² As birds and sparrows fly, so a curse shall not come upon any one without a cause.

³ As a whip for a horse, and a goad for an ass, so is a rod for a simple nation.

⁴ Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you become like him.

⁵ Yet answer a fool according to his folly, lest he seem wise in his own conceit.

⁶ He that sends a message by a foolish messenger procures for himself a reproach from his own ways.

⁷ As well take away the motion of the legs, as transgression from the mouth of fools.

⁸ He that binds up a stone in a sling, is like one that gives glory to a fool.

⁹ Thorns grow in the hand of a drunkard, and servitude in the hand of fools.

² As the sparrow in her wandering, as the swallow in her flying, so the curse that is causeless lighteth not.

³ A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the back of fools.

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 his own feet, and drinketh in damage.

⁷ The legs of the lame hang loose: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

⁸ As a bag of gems in a heap of stones, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.

⁹ As a thorn that goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the month of fools.

² Like SIM birds that fly by and do not alight/land on anything, if someone curses you, it cannot hurt you if you ◄do not deserve them/have not done to him what is wrong►.

³ It is necessary to whip a horse and to put a bridle on a donkey to force them to go where we want them to go, and similarly SIM it is often necessary to strike foolish people with a stick to cause them to do what is right.

⁴ If a foolish person asks a foolish question, do not answer him, because if you answer his question, you are just as foolish as he is.

⁵ If you give a foolish answer to someone who asks a foolish question, he will realize that he is ◄not very wise/foolish►.

⁶ Anyone who asks a foolish person to take a message to someone is himself doing something as foolish as cutting off his own feet or drinking poison.

⁷ A lame man cannot use his legs, and similarly SIM it is useless for a foolish person to speak MTY ◄proverbs/wise sayings►.

⁸ Tying a stone in a sling so that it cannot be thrown at a target is as foolish as SIM honoring a foolish person.

⁹ If a drunk person waves some thorns/brambles with his hand, he is not able to accomplish anything useful by doing that (OR, he does not feel it when a thorn sticks in his hand); similarly, if foolish people speak MTY proverbs, they do not help anyone who hears them.

² As birds and sparrows fly, so a curse shall not come upon any one without a cause.

³ As a whip for a horse, and a goad for an ass, so is a rod for a simple nation.

⁴ Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you become like him.

⁵ Yet answer a fool according to his folly, lest he seem wise in his own conceit.

⁶ He that sends a message by a foolish messenger procures for himself a reproach from his own ways.

⁷ As well take away the motion of the legs, as transgression from the mouth of fools.

⁸ He that binds up a stone in a sling, is like one that gives glory to a fool.

⁹ Thorns grow in the hand of a drunkard, and servitude in the hand of fools.

² Like a fluttering sparrow, like a darting swallow, so the undeserved curse doesn’t come to rest.

³ A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools!

⁴ Don’t answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him.

⁵ Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.

⁶ One who sends a message by the hand of a fool is cutting off feet and drinking violence.

⁷ Like the legs of the lame that hang loose, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

⁸ As one who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honor to a fool.

⁹ Like a thorn bush that goes into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

² Like a fluttering sparrow, like a darting swallow, so the undeserved curse doesn’t come to rest.

³ A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools!

⁴ Don’t answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him.

⁵ Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.

⁶ One who sends a message by the hand of a fool is cutting off feet and drinking violence.

⁷ Like the legs of the lame that hang loose, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

⁸ As one who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honor to a fool.

⁹ Like a thorn bush that goes into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

² Like a fluttering sparrow, like a darting swallow, so the undeserved curse doesn’t come to rest.

³ A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools!

⁴ Don’t answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him.

⁵ Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.

⁶ One who sends a message by the hand of a fool is cutting off feet and drinking violence.

⁷ Like the legs of the lame that hang loose, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

⁸ As one who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honour to a fool.

⁹ Like a thorn bush that goes into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

² As the sparrow in her wandering and the swallow in her flight, so the curse does not come without a cause.

³ A whip for the horse, a mouth-bit for the ass, and a rod for the back of the foolish.

⁴ Do not give to the foolish man a foolish answer, or you will be like him.

⁵ Give a foolish man a foolish answer, or he will seem wise to himself.

⁶ He who sends news by the hand of a foolish man is cutting off his feet and drinking in damage.

⁷ The legs of one who has no power of walking are hanging loose; so is a wise saying in the mouth of the foolish.

⁸ Giving honour to a foolish man is like attempting to keep a stone fixed in a cord.

⁹ Like a thorn which goes up into the hand of a man overcome by drink, so is a wise saying in the mouth of a foolish man.

² As the sparrow for flitting about, as the swallow for flying, so a curse undeserved shall not come.

³ A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the back of fools.

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 eyes.

⁶ He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off his own feet, and drinketh damage.

⁷ The legs of the lame hang loose; so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

⁸ As a bag of gems in a stoneheap, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.

⁹ As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

² As a bird flying to other places, and a sparrow going here or there: so a curse uttered without cause shall come upon a man.

³ A whip for a horse, and a snaffle for an ass, and a rod for the back of fools.

⁴ Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou be made like him.

⁵ Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he imagine himself to be wise.

⁶ He that sendeth words by a foolish messenger, is lame of feet and drinketh iniquity.

⁷ As a lame man hath fair legs in vain: so a parable is unseemly in the mouth of fools.

⁸ As he that casteth a stone into the heap of Mercury: so is he that giveth honour to a fool.

⁹ As if a thorn should grow in the hand of a drunkard: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

² A curse that isn't deserved won't land on the person, like a fluttering sparrow or a flitting swallow.

³ Horses need a whip, donkeys need a bridle, and stupid people need a rod on their backs!

⁴ Don't answer stupid people following their stupidity, or you'll become as bad as them.

⁵ Answer stupid people following their stupidity, otherwise they'll think they're wise.

⁶ Trusting someone stupid to deliver a message is like cutting of your feet or drinking poison.

⁷ A proverb spoken by someone stupid is as useless as a lame person's legs.

⁸ Honoring someone stupid is as pointless as tying a stone into a sling.

⁹ A proverb spoken by someone stupid is as ridiculous as a thorn bush waved around by a drunk.

² As the sparowe by flying, and the swallow by flying escape, so the curse that is causeles, shall not come.

³ Vnto the horse belongeth a whip, to the asse a bridle, and a rod to the fooles backe.

⁴ Answer not a foole according to his foolishnes, least thou also be like him.

⁵ Answere a foole according to his foolishnes, least he be wise in his owne conceite.

⁶ He that sendeth a message by the hand of a foole, is as he that cutteth off the feete, and drinketh iniquitie.

⁷ As they that lift vp the legs of the lame, so is a parable in a fooles mouth.

⁸ As the closing vp of a precious stone in an heape of stones, so is he that giueth glory to a foole.

⁹ As a thorne standing vp in the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fooles.

² As the wandering sparrow, as the flying swallow, so the curse that is causeless shall come home.

³ A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the back of fools.

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 eyes.

⁶ He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off his own feet, and drinketh damage.

⁷ The legs hang limp from the lame; so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

⁸ As a small stone in a heap of stones, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.

⁹ As a thorn that cometh into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

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 fools’ 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.

² As the bird cometh to flit away, as the swallow, to fly off: so will an undeserved curse not come to fulfillment.

³ A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.

⁴ Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest thou also become equal unto him.

⁵ Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.

⁶ He choppeth off the feet, and drinketh vexation, that sendeth important messages by the hand of a fool.

⁷ Too feebly hang down the thighs on a lame man: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

⁸ As is the one that bindeth a stone fast in a sling, so is he that giveth honor to a fool.

⁹ As a thorn that is come into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

² As birds and sparrows fly, So a curse shall not come upon anyone without a cause.

³ As a whip for a horse, and a goad for an ass, So is a rod for a simple nation.

⁴ Answer not a fool according to his folly, Lest thou become like him.

⁵ Yet answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he seem wise in his own conceit.

⁶ He that sends a message by a foolish messenger Procures for himself a reproach from his own ways.

⁷ As well take away the motion of the legs, As transgression from the mouth of fools.

⁸ He that binds up a stone in a sling, Is like one that gives glory to a fool.

⁹ Thorns grow in the hand of a drunkard, And servitude in the hand of fools.

² As the sparrow wandereth, and the swallow flieth away, So the curse without cause shall not come.

³ A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, And a rod for the back of the fool.

⁴ Answer not a fool according to his folly, Lest thou also become like to him.

⁵ Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own conceit.

⁶ He cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage, Who sendeth a message by the hand of a fool.

⁷ The legs of a lame man hang loose; So is it with a proverb in the mouth of fools.

⁸ As he who bindeth a stone in a sling, So is he that giveth honor to a fool.

⁹ As a thorn lifted up by the hand of a drunkard, So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

² Like a fluttering sparrow, like a darting swallow, so the undeserved curse does not come to rest.

³ A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools!

⁴ Don’t answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him.

⁵ Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.

⁶ One who sends a message by the hand of a fool is cutting off feet and drinking violence.

⁷ Like the legs of the lame that hang loose: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

⁸ As one who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives kavod ·weighty glory· to a fool.

⁹ Like a thorn bush that goes into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

² As the sparrow flitters and the swallow darts when they fly, so an undeserved curse does not alight.

³ A whip is for the horse, a bridle is for the donkey and a rod is for the back of fools.

⁴ Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will become like him.

⁵ Answer a fool and join in on his folly, so he will not become wise in his own eyes.

⁶ Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.

⁷ Like the legs of a paralytic which hang down is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

⁸ Like tying a stone in a sling is giving honor to a fool.

⁹ Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

² Like a fluttering sparrow, like a darting swallow, so the undeserved curse doesn’t come to rest.

³ A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools!

⁴ Don’t answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him.

⁵ Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.

⁶ One who sends a message by the hand of a fool is cutting off feet and drinking violence.

⁷ Like the legs of the lame that hang loose, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

⁸ As one who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honor to a fool.

⁹ Like a thorn bush that goes into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

² Like a fluttering sparrow, like a darting swallow, so the undeserved curse doesn’t come to rest.

³ A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools!

⁴ Don’t answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him.

⁵ Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.

⁶ One who sends a message by the hand of a fool is cutting off feet and drinking violence.

⁷ Like the legs of the lame that hang loose, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

⁸ As one who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honour to a fool.

⁹ Like a thorn bush that goes into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

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 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 honor to a fool.

⁹ As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

² Like a fluttering sparrow, like a darting swallow, so the undeserved curse doesn’t come to rest.

³ A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools!

⁴ Don’t answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him.

⁵ Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.

⁶ One who sends a message by the hand of a fool is cutting off feet and drinking violence.

⁷ Like the legs of the lame that hang loose, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

⁸ As one who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honor to a fool.

⁹ Like a thorn bush that goes into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

² Like a fluttering sparrow, like a darting swallow, so the undeserved curse doesn’t come to rest.

³ A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools!

⁴ Don’t answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him.

⁵ Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.

⁶ One who sends a message by the hand of a fool is cutting off feet and drinking violence.

⁷ Like the legs of the lame that hang loose, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

⁸ As one who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honour to a fool.

⁹ Like a thorn bush that goes into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

² For as a bird flying over to high things, and as a sparrow going into uncertain; so cursing brought forth without reasonable cause shall come above into some man.

³ Beating be to an horse, and a bridle to an ass; and a rod to the back of unprudent men.

⁴ Answer thou not to a fool after his folly, lest thou be made like him.

⁵ Answer thou a fool after his folly, lest he seem to himself to be wise.

⁶ An halting man in feet, and drinking wickedness, he that sendeth words by a fond or foolish messenger.

⁷ As an halting man hath fair legs in vain; so a parable is unseemly in the mouth of fools.

⁸ As he that sendeth a stone into the broad place of the sling; so he that giveth honour to an unwise man.

⁹ As if a thorn groweth in the hand of a drunken man; so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

² For as a bird flying over to high things, and as a sparrow going into uncertain; so cursing brought forth without reasonable cause shall come above into some man. (Like a bird flying over to high places, and like a sparrow going into uncertainty; so cursing brought forth without a reasonable cause, shall simply go over someone, and not touch them.)

³ Beating be to an horse, and a bridle to an ass; and a rod to the back of unprudent men.

⁴ Answer thou not to a fool after his folly, lest thou be made like him.

⁵ Answer thou (to) a fool after his folly, lest he seem to himself to be wise (or lest he thinketh himself to be wise).

⁶ (As) An halting man in feet, and drinking wickedness, that is, drink harmful to himself, (is) he that sendeth words by a fond messenger. (Like a person who is lame, and like someone who drinketh a drink that is harmful to himself, is he who sendeth words by a foolish messenger.)

⁷ As an halting man hath fair legs in vain; so a parable is unseemly in the mouth of fools.

⁸ As he that sendeth a stone into the broad place of the sling; so he that giveth honour to an unwise man. (Like he who sendeth a stone into the broad place of a sling, is he who giveth honour to an unwise person.)

⁹ As if a thorn groweth in the hand of a drunken man; so is a parable in the mouth of fools. (Like a thorn that groweth in the hand of a drunk, is a parable in the mouth of a fool.)

² As a bird by wandering, as a swallow by flying, So reviling without cause doth not come.

³ A whip is for a horse, a bridle for an ass, And a rod for the back of fools.

⁴ Answer not a fool according to his folly, Lest thou be like to him — even thou.

⁵ Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes.

⁶ He is cutting off feet, he is drinking injury, Who is sending things by the hand of a fool.

⁷ Weak have been the two legs of the lame, And a parable in the mouth of fools.

⁸ As one who is binding a stone in a sling, So is he who is giving honour to a fool.

⁹ A thorn hath gone up into the hand of a drunkard, And a parable in the mouth of fools.