📖 Proverbs — Chapter 26 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
Proverbs 26:1 As snow Rin summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.
Proverbs 26:2 As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.
Proverbs 26:3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back.
Proverbs 26:4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
Proverbs 26:5 Answer Ra fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own Tconceit.
Proverbs 26:6 He that Rsendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh Tdamage.
Proverbs 26:7 The legs of the lame Tare not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
Proverbs 26:8 As he that Tbindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
Proverbs 26:9 As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouths of fools.
Proverbs 26:10 TThe great God that formed all things Rboth rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.
Proverbs 26:11 As Ra dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool Treturneth to his folly.
Proverbs 26:12 RSeest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
Proverbs 26:13 The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
Proverbs 26:14 As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
Proverbs 26:15 The Rslothful hideth his hand in his bosom; Tit grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.
Proverbs 26:16 RThe sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
Proverbs 26:17 He that Rpasseth by, and Tmeddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
Proverbs 26:18 As a mad man who casteth Tfirebrands, Rarrows, and death,
Proverbs 26:19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, Rand saith, Am not I in sport?
Proverbs 26:20 TWhere no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no Ttalebearer, the strife Tceaseth.
Proverbs 26:21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
Proverbs 26:22 The Rwords of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the Tinnermost parts of the belly.
Proverbs 26:23 Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
Proverbs 26:24 He that hateth Tdissembleth with his lips, and layeth up Rdeceit within him;
Proverbs 26:25 When he RTspeaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
Proverbs 26:26 RWhose hatred is covered Tby deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.
Proverbs 26:27 Whoso Rdiggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
Proverbs 26:28 A Rlying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Proverbs 26:1–10 — Discernment when confronting folly
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The paired instructions about answering a fool require discernment: neither imitate folly nor allow false self-confidence to go unchallenged. Honor without wisdom misleads.
Key Truth: Respond to folly with discernment.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “… a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth ____ to a fool.” (Proverbs 26:8)
Find it in Proverbs 26:8 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “Answer a ____ according to his folly, lest he be wise in his …” (Proverbs 26:5)
Find it in Proverbs 26:5 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “The ____ God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and …” (Proverbs 26:10)
Find it in Proverbs 26:10 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Proverbs 26:11–19 — Repeated folly and irresponsible excuses
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Returning to folly, lazy excuses, meddling, and deceit disguised as a joke expose refusal to act responsibly. Harm does not become harmless through amusement.
Key Truth: Do not excuse harmful conduct.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a ____ returneth to his folly.” (Proverbs 26:11)
Find it in Proverbs 26:11 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the ____ upon his bed.” (Proverbs 26:14)
Find it in Proverbs 26:14 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “So is the man that ____ his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?” (Proverbs 26:19)
Find it in Proverbs 26:19 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Proverbs 26:20–28 — Stop feeding strife
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Gossip fuels conflict like wood feeds fire. Smooth lips can hide hatred, while lies and flattery harm the people targeted by them.
Key Truth: Refuse gossip and concealed malice.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “As coals are to burning coals, and ____ to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.” (Proverbs 26:21)
Find it in Proverbs 26:21 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up ____ within him;” (Proverbs 26:24)
Find it in Proverbs 26:24 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “A lying ____ hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering …” (Proverbs 26:28)
Find it in Proverbs 26:28 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
James 3:5 — A small tongue can ignite great harm.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
What conflict could lose fuel if you stopped repeating a story?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. What risk must be avoided when answering a fool?
2. What condition is judged even less hopeful than folly?
3. What does taking a dog by the ears illustrate?
4. Why does saying it was only sport fail to excuse deception?
5. How is talebearing related to a quarrel’s continuation?
Notes
Write what you want to remember, questions to explore, or Scriptures to look up later. Your saved notes are private to your account.
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