Proverbs 25:26-26:10

English Standard Version

²⁶ Like ^(A)a muddied spring or a polluted fountain
    is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
²⁷ It is ^(B)not good to eat much honey,
    nor is it glorious to ^(C)seek one's own glory.^[a]
28 A man ^(D)without self-control
    is like ^(E)a city broken into and left without walls.
26 Like snow in summer or ^(F)rain in harvest,
    so ^(G)honor is ^(H)not fitting for a fool.
² Like ^(I)a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying,
    ^(J)a curse that is causeless does not alight.
^3 (K)A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,
    and ^(L)a rod for the back of fools.
^4 (M)Answer not a fool according to his folly,
    lest you be like him yourself.
^5 (N)Answer a fool according to his folly,
    lest he be ^(O)wise in his own eyes.
⁶ Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool
    cuts off his own feet and ^(P)drinks violence.
⁷ Like a lame man's legs, which hang useless,
    is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
⁸ Like one who binds the stone in the sling
    is ^(Q)one who gives honor to a fool.
⁹ Like ^(R)a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard
    is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
¹⁰ Like an archer who wounds everyone
    is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard.^[b]