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Summary

Proverbs 26:1–12 – Portraits of the Fool

What happens: Honor does not fit a fool. Do not answer a fool according to folly, yet answer so he is not wise in his own eyes. Sending a message by a fool fails. A proverb in a fool’s mouth harms. The fool repeats folly like a dog returns to vomit. The self-wise fool is worse than most.

What it means: God warns that folly mishandles truth and injures others. Discernment chooses when and how to respond. Pride hardens people against correction. Without repentance, folly becomes a destructive cycle.


Proverbs 26:13–16 – The Sluggard’s Excuses

What happens: The sluggard invents dangers to avoid work. He turns on his bed like a door on its hinges. He is too lazy to bring food to his mouth. He is wiser in his own eyes than seven who answer well.

What it means: God calls for diligence because sloth resists His order. Excuses reveal unbelief, not obstacles. Pride keeps the lazy from learning. Work is worship when done before God.


Proverbs 26:17–28 – Meddling, Slander, and Hidden Hatred

What happens: Grabbing a dog’s ears is like meddling in others’ quarrels. Joking masks hurtful intent. Without wood, a fire goes out; without a whisperer, strife ends. Smooth words hide evil hearts. A lying tongue hates its victims.

What it means: God forbids stirring conflict for sport. Peace grows when gossip dies. Words should match hearts because God sees motives. Hidden malice meets God’s justice.


Application

  • Answer folly with discernment and refuse pride.
  • Replace excuses with steady work offered to God.
  • End gossip and avoid meddling to protect peace.

Bible

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

10The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.

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

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

13The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.

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

15The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.

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

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

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

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

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

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

22The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

23Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.

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

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

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

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

28A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.

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