THE
PROVERBS

Proverbs 26

Various maxims and observations of Solomon, collected by the men of Hezekiah, about kings, and other subjects of both private and public concern.


1AS snow in summer, and as rain in 1harvest, so 2honour is not seemly for a fool.

1 Namely, it is not convenient, but unseasonable and hurtful. In the land of the Jews it rained not, or very seldom, in harvest time. See 1 Sam. 12:17.

2 That is, state and government whereby he would bring shame upon himself and oppress others.

2As the 3bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse 4causeless shall 5not come.

3 See of the Hebrew word (which is here taken for a sparrow) Gen. 7 on verse 14; Lev. 14 on verse 4.

4 That is, which is done to an innocent person.

5 That is, shall not hurt him who is cursed, but flies away from him as a bird.

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

a Psalm 32:9, 10.

b Prov. 10:13.

46Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.

6 Namely, in that manner which he uses in his discourse, namely, with terms of reproach, defamations, false accusations and derisions; and also, as that you suffer yourself by contention to be led away unto improper passions.

5Answer a fool 7according to his folly, lest he be wise 8in his own conceit.

7 Namely, according as his folly requires; namely, that it is reproved and confuted thus upon a good and sure ground.

8 That is, in his own judgment, or whereby he imagines and persuades himself that he is wise. Also verses 12, 16.

6He that sendeth 9a message 10by the hand of a fool 11cutteth off the feet, and 12drinketh damage.

9 Hebr. words.

10 That is, by the service. See Exod. 4 on verse 13.

11 That is, he makes it so that he cannot go on with his business. Or, he takes away from himself the occasion and suitableness to perform his affairs in regard he may do them far better by himself or by others, than by a fool.

12 That is, wrongs himself, and gets shame and damage by those to whom he sends the fool. The phrase signifies as much as to endure any mischief, or to be punished therewith. Compare the annotations at Psalm 75 on verse 8.

7The legs of the lame are 13not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

13 Namely, that he may be able to use them well in any work. Yet, as this cannot be conveniently done, neither can a fool utter a wise sentence or proverb aright. Other, the legs of a cripple are lifted up; understand: the one leg more than the other so that they are unequal. The sense is: as the legs or shanks of a cripple have no proportion, such are the words and speeches of a fool absurd and agree not together. This verse may be likewise rendered thus: Take away the legs from the cripple; and the proverbs which are in the mouth of fools. Some understand also by legs, the ornaments of the legs which seem not to become a cripple well. The sense would be: that wise sentences in the mouth of fools suit no better that the legs or ornaments of the same do to those who are lame or cripple.

8As 14he that bindeth a 15stone in a sling, so is he that giveth 16honour to a fool.

14 Hebr. As to bind or the binding of a precious stone, namely, is very absurd, because the precious stone, being slung, cannot effect any special thing or do any notable exploit, but is lost and gone as soon as ever it is thrown out of the sling, so is he, etc.

15 The Hebrew word is likewise taken for a precious stone, Exod. 31:5. See the annotation. Other, he that bindeth a precious stone in an heap of stones.

16 That is, state, offices, riches, which the fool cannot use aright, but he lets them perish.

9As a thorn 17goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

17 Hebr. goeth up; that is, as a drunkard hurts himself or others when he would handle a thorn; neither can a fool use a good proverb well.

1018The great God that formed all things both rewardeth 19the fool, and rewardeth 20transgressors.

18 Hebr. the great one causeth grief to every one: and hireth a fool, and hireth transgressors. Understand: tyrants, or lords and princes, or such kind of great ones, who are so awed and reverenced by them, that they cause trouble and grieve to everyone. For which end they entertain fools and transgressors in their service, whereof the first cannot and the other will not do good.

19 See Prov. 1 on verse 22.

20 Other, passengers, or, those that pass by, whoever they may be, if they are but only inclined to do, as the great ones who hire them, would have them to do.

11Asc a dog 21returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.

c 2 Peter 2:22.

21 Namely, to swallow it in again, having forgotten that, what he had vomited up, it did not well agree with him.

12Seest thou a man 22wise in his own conceit? there is more 23hope ofd24a fool than of him.

22 See on verse 5.

23 Namely, of becoming wise and virtuous.

d Prov. 29:20.

24 See Prov. 1 on verse 22.

1325Thee slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.

25 Compare Prov. 22:13.

e Prov. 22:13.

14As the door turneth upon his 26hinges, so doth the slothful 27upon his bed.

26 Namely, hinge or handle, whereon it hangs and is fastened.

27 Namely, without coming off from it, to do his proper work.

1528Thef slothful hideth his hand 29in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.

28 See Prov. 19:24, and the annotation thereon.

f Prov. 19:24.

29 Other, in the dish.

16The sluggard 30is wiser in his own conceit than 31seven men that can render a 32reason.

30 See on verse 5; Prov. 28:11.

31 That is, than many men. It is a certain number for an uncertain. See Prov. 6 on verse 31.

32 That is, who are able to speak rationally or ingeniously or with good understanding and right judgment. Of the Hebrew word, see Job 12 on verse 20, on the word understanding.

17He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife 33belonging not to him, is like 34one that taketh a dog by the ears.

33 Hebr. not his, that is, which is not his.

34 That is, is like him, who without cause, runs into danger of trouble and hurt; as he, who pulls a dog by the ears, provokes him to leap upon him, and bite him.

18As a mad man 35who casteth 36firebrands, arrows, and 37death,

35 That is, behaves himself as if he were out of his wits or simple-minded. As under such a pretense no man can excuse himself when he has done mischief to a man; so neither is he to be excused, who, under a pretense of jesting and sporting, hurts his neighbor. Other, that feigneth himself to faint.

36 Or, flames, or, sparks. Other, fetters, bonds or snares, wherewith a man is tied and made tight, especially about his hands.

37 Or, deadly things. Hebr. death, that is, which are able to bring death unto a man.

19So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, 38Am not I in sport?

38 Hebr. Am not I sporting or jesting? That is, what I did was not done willfully and with an evil intent, but, playing all the while, only in jest, and in way of delight.

20Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: 39sog where there is no 40talebearer, the strife 41ceaseth.

39 Compare Prov. 22:10.

g Prov. 22:10.

40 See Prov. 16 on verse 28.

41 Hebr. is silent, that is, becomes quiet and ceases. See of the Hebrew word, Joshua 10 on verse 12.

21As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a 42contentioush man to kindle strife.

42 Hebr. a man of brawlings or of contentions.

h Prov. 15:18; 29:22.

2243Thei words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

43 See Prov. 18:8, where the same proverb is propounded in the same words.

i Prov. 18:8.

2344Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a 45potsherd covered with silver dross.

44 Understand the people who seem to speak out of fervent love and good affection, but yet bear an evil heart to those to whom they speak.

45 Which is in itself but of small value, but outwardly, in regard of the brightness and similitude or likeness of the silver, sends forth a brave luster and splendor, which deceives many people, who think the potsherd, which is only covered over and overlaid with dross and scum of silver, to be nothing but pure beaten or substantial silver.

24He that hateth 46dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit 47within him;

46 That is, he feigns himself outwardly to be otherwise by his words, than he really is and indeed within his heart.

47 That is, in his heart. See Job 20 on verse 14.

25When 48he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are 49seven 50abominations in his heart.

48 Namely, the hater, of whom is spoken in the previous verse.

49 That is, many; as verse 16; Prov. 24:16. See Prov. 6 on verse 31.

50 That is, abominable thoughts, and devices to do mischief.

26Whose hatred is covered 51by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed 52before the whole congregation.

51 Other, as in a wilderness, that is, in a place wherein is no man who sees or hears wickedness.

52 That is, shall be laid open before the entire world, either in this life (as oftentimes comes to pass) or leastwise at the last day in the general and universal judgment, unless he does repent.

27Whosoj53diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon 54him.

j Psalm 7:15; 9:15; 10:2; 57:6; Eccl. 10:8.

53 Namely, to cause another to fall into it.

54 Namely, upon him who rolled the stone upwards against or towards an high place, to cause it to fall upon someone.

2855A lying tongue hateth those that are 56afflicted by it; and a 57flattering mouth 58worketh ruin.

55 Hebr. a tongue of falsehood, that is, a man who uses or deals with a false tongue.

56 Or, shall break to pieces, that is, ruin and destroy.

57 That is, flattering and soothing. Compare Prov. 5:3 and the annotation.

58 That is, strikes a man down to the ground.