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Chapter 26

AlexandrinusVaticanus

Similitudes, Instructions

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

26:1 Ὥσπερ δρόσος ἐν ἀμήτῳ καὶ ὥσπερ ὑετὸς ἐν θέρει, οὕτως οὐκ ἔστιν ἄφρονι τιμή. 26:1 Ὥσπερ δρόσος ἐν ἀμήτῳ καὶ ὥσπερ ὑετὸς ἐν θέρει, οὕτως οὐκ ἐστιν ἄφρονι τιμή.
26:1 As dew in harvest, and as rain in summer, so honour is not seemly for a fool. 26:1 As dew in harvest, and as rain in summer, so honour is not seemly for a fool.

2 As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse shall not come without cause.

26:2 ὥσπερ ὄρνεα πέταται καὶ στρουθοί, οὕτως ἀρὰ ματαία οὐκ ἐπελεύσεται οὐδενί. 26:2 ὥσπερ ὄρνεα πέταται καὶ στρουθοί, οὕτως ἀρὰ ματαία οὐκ ἐπελεύσεται οὐδενί.
26:2 As birds and sparrows fly, so a curse shall not come on any one without a cause. 26:2 As birds and sparrows fly, so a curse shall not come on any one without a cause.

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

26:3 ὥσπερ μάστιξ ἵππῳ καὶ κέντρον ὄνῳ, οὕτως ῥάβδος ἔθνει παρανόμῳ. 26:3 ὥσπερ μάστιξ ἵππῳ καὶ κέντρον ὄνῳ, οὕτως ῥάβδος ἔθνει παρανόμῳ.
26:3 As a whip for a horse, and a goad for a donkey, so is a rod for a simple nation. 26:3 As a whip for a horse, and a goad for a donkey, so is a rod for a simple nation.

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

26:4 μὴ ἀποκρίνου ἄφρονι πρὸς τὴν ἐκείνου ἀφροσύνην, ἵνα μὴ ὅμοιος γένῃ αὐτῷ· 26:4 μὴ ἀποκρίνου ἄφρονι πρὸς τὴν ἐκείνου ἀφροσύνην, ἵνα μὴ ὅμοιος γένῃ αὐτῷ·
26:4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you become like him. 26:4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you become like him.

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

26:5 ἀλλὰ ἀποκρίνου ἄφρονι κατὰ τὴν ἀφροσύνην αὐτοῦ, ἵνα μὴ φαίνηται σοφὸς παρ' ἑαυτῷ. 26:5 ἀλλὰ ἀποκρίνου ἄφρονι κατὰ τὴν ἀφροσύνην αὐτοῦ, ἵνα μὴ φαίνηται σοφός παρ' ἑαυτῷ.
26:5 Yet answer a fool according to his folly, lest he seem wise in his own conceit. 26:5 Yet answer a fool according to his folly, lest he seem wise in his own conceit.

6 He who sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off the feet, and drinks damage.

26:6 ἐκ τῶν ἑαυτοῦ ποδῶν ὄνειδος πίεται ὁ ἀποστείλας δι' ἀγγέλου ἄφρονος λόγον. 26:6 ἐκ τῶν ὁδῶν ἑαυτοῦ ὄνειδος ποιεῖται ὁ ἀποστείλας δι' ἀγγέλου ἄφρονος λόγον.
26:6 He who sends a message by a foolish messenger procures for himself a reproach from his own ways. 26:6 He who sends a message by a foolish messenger procures for himself a reproach from his own ways.

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

26:7 ἀφελοῦ πορείαν σκελῶν καὶ παροιμίαν ἐκ στόματος ἀφρόνων. 26:7 ἀφελοῦ πορείαν σκελῶν καὶ παρανομίαν ἐκ στόματος ἀφρόνων.
26:7 As well take away the motion of the legs, as transgression from the mouth of fools. 26:7 As well take away the motion of the legs, as transgression from the mouth of fools.

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

26:8 ὃς ἀποδεσμεύει λίθον ἐν σφενδόνῃ, ὅμοιός ἐστιν τῷ διδόντι ἄφρονι δόξαν. 26:8 ὃς ἀποδεσμεύει λίθον ἐν σφενδόνῃ, ὅμοιός ἔστι τῷ διδόντι ἄφρονι δόξαν.
26:8 He who binds up a stone in a sling, is like one that gives glory to a fool. 26:8 He who binds up a stone in a sling, is like one that gives glory to a fool.

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

26:9 ἄκανθαι φύονται ἐν χειρὶ τοῦ μεθύσου, δουλεία δὲ ἐν χειρὶ τῶν ἀφρόνων. 26:9 ἄκανθαι φύονται ἐν χειρὶ μεθύσου, δουλεία δὲ ἐν χειρὶ τῶν ἀφρόνων.
26:9 Thorns grow in the hand of a drunkard, and servitude in the hand of fools. 26:9 Thorns grow in the hand of a drunkard, and servitude in the hand of fools.

10 The great God who formed all things both rewards the fool, and rewards transgressors.

26:10 πολλὰ χειμάζεται πᾶσα σὰρξ ἀφρόνων·
συντρίβεται γὰρ ἡ ἔκστασις αὐτῶν. 		26:10 πολλὰ χειμάζεται πᾶσα σάρξ ἀφρόνων·
συντρίβεται γὰρ ἡ ἔκστασις αὐτῶν.
26:10 All the flesh of fools endures much hardship; for their fury is brought to nothing. 26:10 All the flesh of fools endures much hardship; for their fury is brought to nothing.

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

26:11 ὥσπερ κύων ὅταν ἐπέλθῃ ἐπὶ τὸν ἑαυτοῦ ἔμετον καὶ μισητὸς γένηται, οὕτως ἄφρων τῇ ἑαυτοῦ κακίᾳ ἀναστρέψας ἐπὶ τὴν ἑαυτοῦ ἁμαρτίαν. 26:11 ὥσπερ κύων ὅταν ἐπέλθῃ ἐπὶ τὸν ἑαυτοῦ ἔμετον καὶ μισητὸς γένηται, οὕτως ἄφρων τῇ ἑαυτοῦ κακίᾳ ἀναστρέψας ἐπὶ τὴν ἑαυτοῦ ἁμαρτίαν.
26:11 As when a dog goes to his own vomit, and becomes abominable, so is fool who returns in his wickedness to his own sin. 26:11 As when a dog goes to his own vomit, and becomes abominable, so is fool who returns in his wickedness to his own sin.

11a N/A

26:11a ἔστιν αἰσχύνη ἐπάγουσα ἁμαρτίαν, καὶ ἔστιν αἰσχύνη δόξα καὶ χάρις. 26:11a ἔστιν αἰσχύνη ἐπάγουσα ἁμαρτίαν, καί ἐστιν αἰσχύνη δόξα καὶ χάρις.
26:11a There is a shame that brings sin; and there is a shame that is glory and grace. 26:11a There is a shame that brings sin; and there is a shame that is glory and grace.

12 Do you see a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him.

26:12 εἶδον ἄνδρα δόξαντα παρ' ἑαυτῷ σοφὸν εἶναι, ἐλπίδα μέντοι ἔσχεν μᾶλλον ἄφρων αὐτοῦ. 26:12 εἶδον ἄνδρα δόξαντα παρ' αὑτῷ σοφὸν εἶναι, ἐλπίδα μέντοι ἔσχε μᾶλλον ἄφρων αὐτοῦ.
26:12 I have seen a man who seemed to himself to be wise; but a fool had more hope than he. 26:12 I have seen a man who seemed to himself to be wise; but a fool had more hope than he.

13 The slothful man says, “There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.”

26:13 λέγει ὀκνηρὸς ἀποστελλόμενος εἰς ὁδόν, λέων ἐν ταῖς ὁδοῖς. 26:13 λέγει ὀκνηρὸς ἀποστελλόμενος εἰς ὁδόν·
λέων ἐν ταῖς ὁδοῖς, ἐν δὲ ταῖς πλατείαις φονευταί.
26:13 A sluggard when sent on a journey says, “There is a lion on the road.” 26:13 A sluggard when sent on a journey says, “There is a lion on the road, and there are murderers in the streets.”

14 As the door turns on his hinges, so does the slothful on his bed.

26:14 Ὥσπερ θύρα στρέφεται ἐπὶ τοῦ στρόφιγγος, οὕτως ὀκνηρὸς ἐπὶ τῆς κλίνης αὐτοῦ. 26:14 ὥσπερ θύρα στρέφεται ἐπὶ τοῦ στρόφιγγος, οὕτως ὀκνηρὸς ἐπὶ τῆς κλίνης αὐτοῦ.
26:14 As a door turns on the hinge, so does a sluggard on his bed. 26:14 As a door turns on the hinge, so does a sluggard on his bed.

15 The slothful hides his hand in his bosom; it grieves him to bring it again to his mouth.

26:15 κρύψας ὀκνηρὸς τὴν χεῖρα ἐν τῷ κόλπῳ αὐτοῦ οὐ δυνήσεται ἐπενεγκεῖν ἐπὶ τὸ στόμα. 26:15 κρύψας ὀκνηρὸς τὴν χεῖρα ἐν τῷ κόλπῳ αὐτοῦ, οὐ δυνήσεται ἐπενεγκεῖν ἐπὶ στόμα.
26:15 A sluggard having hid his hand in his bosom, won't be able to bring it up to his mouth. 26:15 A sluggard having hid his hand in his bosom, won't be able to bring it up to his mouth.

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

26:16 σοφώτερος ἑαυτῷ ὀκνηρὸς φαίνεται τοῦ ἐν πλησμονῇ ἀποκομίζοντος ἀγγελίαν. 26:16 σοφώτερος ἑαυτῷ ὀκνηρὸς φαίνεται τοῦ ἐν πλησμονῇ ἀποκομίζοντος ἀγγελίαν.
26:16 A sluggard seems to himself wiser than one who most satisfactorily brings back a message. 26:16 A sluggard seems to himself wiser than one who most satisfactorily brings back a message.

17 He who passes by, and meddles with strife not belonging to him, is like one that takes a dog by the ears.

26:17 Ὥσπερ ὁ κρατῶν κέρκου κυνός, οὕτως ὁ προεστὼς ἀλλοτρίας κρίσεως. 26:17 ὥσπερ ὁ κρατῶν κέρκου κυνός, οὕτως ὁ προεστὼς ἀλλοτρίας κρίσεως.
26:17 As he who lays hold of a dog's tail, so is he who makes himself the champion of another's cause. 26:17 As he who lays hold of a dog's tail, so is he who makes himself the champion of another's cause.

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

26:18 ὥσπερ οἱ ἰώμενοι προβάλλουσιν λόγους εἰς ἀνθρώπους, ὁ δὲ ἀπαντήσας τῷ λόγῳ πρῶτος ὑποσκελισθήσεται, 26:18 ὥσπερ οἱ ἰώμενοι προβάλλουσι λόγους εἰς ἀνθρώπους, ὁ δὲ ἀπαντήσας τῷ λόγῳ πρῶτος ὑποσκελισθήσεται,
26:18 As those who need correction put forth fair words to men, and he who first falls in with the proposal will be overthrown; 26:18 As those who need correction put forth fair words to men, and he who first falls in with the proposal will be overthrown;

19 So is the man who deceives his neighbour, and says, Am not I in sport?

26:19 οὕτως πάντες οἱ ἐνεδρεύοντες τοὺς ἑαυτῶν φίλους, ὅταν δὲ φωραθῶσιν, λέγουσιν ὅτι, παίζων ἔπραξα. 26:19 οὕτως πάντες οἱ ἐνεδρεύοντες τοὺς ἑαυτῶν φίλους, ὅταν δὲ ὁραθῶσι, λέγουσι ὅτι παίζων ἔπραξα.
26:19 so are all who lay wait for their own friends, and when they are discovered, say, I did it in jest. 26:19 so are all who lay wait for their own friends, and when they are discovered, say, I did it in jest.

20 Where no wood is, there the fire goes out; so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceases.

26:20 ἐν πολλοῖς ξύλοις θάλλει πῦρ, ὅπου δὲ οὐκ ἔστιν δίθυμος, ἡσυχάζει μάχη. 26:20 ἐν πολλοῖς ξύλοις θάλλει πῦρ, ὅπου δὲ οὐκ ἔστι δίθυμος, ἡσυχάζει μάχη.
26:20 With much wood fire increases; but where there is not a double-minded man, strife ceases. 26:20 With much wood fire increases; but where there is not a double-minded man, strife ceases.

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

26:21 ἐσχάρα ἄνθραξιν καὶ ξύλα πυρί, ἀνὴρ δὲ λοίδορος εἰς ταραχὴν μάχης. 26:21 ἐσχάρα ἄνθραξι καὶ ξύλα πυρί, ἀνὴρ δὲ λοίδορος εἰς ταραχὴν μάχης.
26:21 A hearth for coals, and wood for fire; and railing man for the tumult of strife. 26:21 A hearth for coals, and wood for fire; and railing man for the tumult of strife.

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

26:22 λόγοι κερκώπων μαλακοί, οὗτοι δὲ τύπτουσιν εἰς ταμίεια σπλάγχνων. 26:22 λόγοι κερκώπων μαλακοί, οὗτοι δὲ τύπτουσιν εἰς ταμιεῖα σπλάγχνων.
26:22 The words of cunning knaves are soft; but they smite even to the inmost parts of the bowels. 26:22 The words of cunning knaves are soft; but they smite even to the inmost parts of the bowels.

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

26:23 Ἀργύριον διδόμενον μετὰ δόλου ὥσπερ ὄστρακον ἡγητέον.
χείλη λεῖα καρδίαν καλύπτει λυπηράν. 		26:23 ἀργύριον διδόμενον μετὰ δόλου, ὥσπερ ὄστρακον ἡγητέον.
χείλη λεῖα καρδίαν καλύπτει λυπηράν.
26:23 Silver dishonestly given is to be considered as a potsherd: smooth lips cover a grievous heart. 26:23 Silver dishonestly given is to be considered as a potsherd: smooth lips cover a grievous heart.

24 He who hates disguisses with his lips, and lays up deceit within him;

26:24 χείλεσιν πάντα ἐπινεύει ἀποκλαιόμενος ἐχθρός, ἐν δὲ τῇ καρδίᾳ τεκταίνεται δόλους· 26:24 χείλεσι πάντα ἐπινεύει ἀποκλαιόμενος ἐχθρός, ἐν δὲ τῇ καρδίᾳ τεκταίνεται δόλους.
26:24 A weeping enemy promises all things with his lips, but in his heart he contrives deceit. 26:24 A weeping enemy promises all things with his lips, but in his heart he contrives deceit.

25 When he speaks fair, don't believe him; for there are seven abominations in his heart.

26:25 ἐάν σου δέηται ὁ ἐχθρὸς μεγάλῃ τῇ φωνῇ, μὴ πεισθῇς·
ἑπτὰ γάρ εἰσιν πονηρίαι ἐν τῇ ψυχῇ αὐτοῦ. 		26:25 ἐάν σου δέηται ὁ ἐχθρὸς μεγάλῃ τῇ φωνῇ, μὴ πεισθῇς, ἑπτὰ γάρ εἰσι πονηρίαι ἐν τῇ ψυχῇ αὐτοῦ.
26:25 Though your enemy entreat you with a loud voice, don't consent; for there are seven abominations in his heart. 26:25 Though your enemy entreat you with a loud voice, don't consent; for there are seven abominations in his heart.

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

26:26 ὁ κρύπτων ἔχθραν συνίστησιν δόλον, ἐκκαλύπτει δὲ τὰς ἑαυτοῦ ἁμαρτίας εὔγνωστος ἐν συνεδρίοις. 26:26 ὁ κρύπτων ἔχθραν συνίστησι δόλον, ἐκκαλύπτει δὲ τὰς ἑαυτοῦ ἁμαρτίας εὔγνωστος ἐν συνεδρίοις.
26:26 He who hides enmity frames deceit; but being easily discerned, exposes his own sins in the public assemblies. 26:26 He who hides enmity frames deceit; but being easily discerned, exposes his own sins in the public assemblies.

27 Whoever digs a pit shall fall in it; and he who rolls a stone, it will return on him.

26:27 ὁ ὀρύσσων βόθρον τῷ πλησίον ἐμπεσεῖται εἰς αὐτόν, ὁ δὲ κυλίων λίθον ἐφ' ἑαυτὸν κυλίει. 26:27 ὁ ὀρύσσων βόθρον τῷ πλησίον ἐμπεσεῖται εἰς αὐτόν, ὁ δὲ κυλίων λίθον ἐφ' ἑαυτὸν κυλίει.
26:27 He who digs a pit for his neighbour shall fall into it; and he who rolls a stone, rolls it on himself. 26:27 He who digs a pit for his neighbour shall fall into it; and he who rolls a stone, rolls it on himself.

28 A lying tongue hates those who are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth works ruin.

26:28 γλῶσσα ψευδὴς μισεῖ ἀλήθειαν, στόμα δὲ ἄστεγον ποιεῖ ἀκαταστασίας. 26:28 γλῶσσα ψευδὴς μισεῖ ἀλήθειαν, στόμα δὲ ἄστεγον ποιεῖ ἀκαταστασίας.
26:28 A lying tongue hates the truth; and an unguarded mouth causes tumults. 26:28 A lying tongue hates the truth; and an unguarded mouth causes tumults.