About Dealing with Fools |
Proverbs 26:1-28 Proverbs [in Smaller Chunks] |
[Like] snow in [the] summer & rain in harvest [time, it’s also not appropriate] for a fool [to have] honor. [Like] the bird by wandering & a swallow by flying, so [is a] curse [without a reason that] shall not [happen.] |
A whip [is] for the horse, a bridle for the [donkey] & a rod for the fool's back. [Don't] answer a fool according to his [foolishness,] lest you also [become similar] to him. [If you] answer a fool according to his [foolishness,] he [becomes] wise in his [thinking he's better than others.] |
He, [who sends] a message by a fool [is like] [cutting] off the feet [of someone who] drinks [& puts up with the] damage [later.] The legs of the lame aren't [of] equal [size,] so is a parable [not the same from] the mouth of fools. |
[The person, who] gives honor to a fool [is like] he, [who ties up] a stone in a sling. A parable in the mouth of fools [is like] [the exaggerated tale of] a thorn [going] into the hand of a drunkard. |
The Great God, [Who] formed all things, [rewards] both the fool & the [sinners.] [Like] a dog returns to his vomit, so [is] a fool, [who repeats his lack of good judgment.] [Do] you [see] a man wise in his own conceit, [thinking he's better than others?] There is more hope [for] a fool than [for] him. |
The [lazy] man [says, I can't go to work, because] there is a lion in the [road;] a lion is in the streets. [Like] a door turns on [its] hinges, so [do the lazy turn] upon his bed. The [lazy hides] his hand in his [chest,] [as if he is wounded & can't work] & it grieves him to bring [his arm] again to his mouth. |
The [lazy person] is wiser in his own [eyes] than 7 men [who can’t give] a reason [for him to work.] He [who passes] by & [interferes in an argument that isn't his,] is like [someone, who] takes a dog by the ears. [Like] a mad man, who [throws branding irons] & arrows [that cause] death, |
[The same] is the man, [who] deceives his neighbor & says, [Aren't I just joking?] [Ephesians 5:4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish [talk,] nor jesting, which aren’t [beneficial, but [instead,] giving thanks.] |
Where no wood is, the fire goes out there: so where there is no [gossip or slanderer,] the [arguments] cease. [Like a coal's embers are needed to start the] coals burning & wood [is needed to start a] fire, so is [an argumentative] man [needed] to [start quarrels.] |
The words of a [gossip] are [like] wounds & they go down to the innermost parts of the [body.] Lips burning [to tell something] & a wicked heart are like [a broken shard of pottery] covered with [the scum from] silver. |
He, [who] hates [& disguises it] with [what] his lips [say] & [stores] up deceit within him; [but] when he speaks [honestly, they don't] believe him. For there are 7 abominations [he previously did, but wasn't truthful about, that are still hidden within] his heart. |
The wickedness [of the person] shall be [shown] before the whole congregation & whose hatred is [hidden] by deceit. [Whoever digs] a pit, shall fall [into it] & he, [who] rolls a stone [over the pit,] it will [roll back] upon him. [A person with] a lying tongue hates those, [who] are afflicted by it & a flattering mouth [causes] ruin. |