Revised Literal Translation

Proverbs 26:3-12

3A whipH7752 for the horseH5483, a bridleH4964 for the donkeyH2543, and a rodH7626 for the fool’sH3684 backH1460.

4AnswerH6030 not a foolH3684 according to his follyH200, lest thou also be likeH7737 unto him.

5AnswerH6030 a foolH3684 according to his follyH200, lest he be wiseH2450 in his own conceitH5869.1

6He that sendethH7971 a messageH1697 by the handH3027 of a foolH3684 cutteth offH7096 the feetH7272, and drinkethH8354 damageH2555.2

7The legsH7785 of the lameH6455 are not equalH1809: so is a parableH4912 in the mouthH6310 of foolsH3684.3

8As he that bindethH6887 H6872 a stoneH68 in a slingH4773, so is he that givethH5414 honourH3519 to a foolH3684.4

9As a thornH2336 goeth upH5927 into the handH3027 of a drunkardH7910, so is a parableH4912 in the mouthH6310 of foolsH3684.

10The greatH7227 God that formedH2342 all things both rewardethH7936 the foolH3684, and rewardethH7936 transgressorsH5674.5

11As a dogH3611 returnethH7725 to his vomitH6892, so a foolH3684 returnethH8138 to his follyH200.6

12SeestH7200 thou a manH376 wiseH2450 in his own conceitH5869? there is more hopeH8615 of a foolH3684 than of him.

Notes

1. Proverbs 26:5 conceit: Heb. eyes. ↩
2. Proverbs 26:6 damage: or, violence. ↩
3. Proverbs 26:7 are…: Heb. are lifted up. ↩
4. Proverbs 26:8 bindeth…: or, putteth a precious stone in an heap of stones. ↩
5. Proverbs 26:10 The great…: or, A great man grieveth all, and he hireth the fool, he hireth also transgressors. ↩
6. Proverbs 26:11 returneth to his folly: Heb. iterateth his folly. ↩