Proverbs of Solomon - Ferrar Fenton Bible Translation page 812
The Psalms, Solomon and Sacred Writers
PROVERBS.
26--:2
35..45 16 18 20 21 22 26 28 I0I!
lf you find honey, eat but a little, . Restrain your foot from the house of your friend, Lest he be disgusted and hate you! Like a club, and sword, and sharp arrow, ls a man false accusing his neighbour. An aching tooth and a foot out of joint, Is trust on a traitorin danger! Like the stripping of clothes on a wintry day; And vinegarpoured on a trembling nerve; Is singing songs to an aching heart. If your enemy hungers, feed him; If he thirsts, give water to drink, And a fire besides for his needs; And then the LORD will repay you. The north wind produces a shower, And a slandering tongue, an angry face. Better to dwell on the top of a roof, Than with a quarrelling wife in a parlour. As cold water to weary men, V Is good news from a distant land. As a muddled brook and a ruined well Is the good afraid of the bad. To eat much honey is not well, Or for the honoured to seek for honour. As a scattered town, without a wall, Is a man of ungoverned temper. Like snow in summer, and rain in harvest, So honour becomes not a fool! Like a wandering bird, and a swallow’s flight, So the causeless curse will not come. A whip for a horse, a rein for an ass, But a rod for the back of a fool. Answer no fool, like his folly, Lest you make yourself like to himself. Reply to a fool as his folly requires, Lest he seem to be wise in his own eyes. Like a legless man, greedy for plunder, Is entrusting affairs to a fool! As a lame man’s shanks swing loose, Wit does in the mouth of fools. Like a sparkling gem among rubbish, Is-honour conferred on a fool. Like a thorn in the hand of a drunkard, A proverb is in the mouth of a fool. 2\ Wrnnp uf Shula. Many reel and shout when drunk, Yet a fool and a drunkard are proud. Like a dog returns to his vomit, A fool returns to his folly. See a man in his own eyes wise, More hope for a fool than for him. 812
