observations about fools,1-12; about sluggards, 13-16; and about contentious busy-bodies, 17-28;

in summer 1sa 12:17,18;

so 26:3 28:16 Jud 9:7,20,56,57 Es 3:1 4:6,9 Ps 12:8 15:4 Ec 10:5-7

2 As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.

so Nu 23:8 De 23:4,5 1Sa 14:28,29 17:43 2Sa 16:12 Ne 13:2 Ps 109:28

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

10:13 17:10 19:25 27:22 Jud 8:5-7 Ps 32:9 1Co 4:21 2Co 10:6 13:2

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

17:14 Jud 12:1-6 2Sa 19:41-43 1Ki 12:14,16 2Ki 14:8-10 1Pe 2:21-23 3:9 Jude 1:9

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

fool 1Ki 22:24-28 Jer 36:17,18 Mt 15:1-3 16:1-4 21:23-27 22:15-32 Lu 12:31-21 13:23-30 Joh 8:7 9:26-33 Tit 1:13

lest 26:12 28:11 Ro 11:25

conceit Isa 5:21 Ro 12:16

6 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.

sendeth 10:26 13:17 25:13 Nu 13:31

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

not equal 26:9 17:7 Ps 50:16-21 64:8 Mt 7:4,5 Lu 4:23

8 As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.

bindeth a stone in a sling or putteth a precious stone in a heap of stones. this probably refers to the custom of throwing a stone to the heap under which a criminal was buried.

26:1 19:10 30:22

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

10 The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.

the great or a great man grieveth all and he hireth the fool, he hireth also the transgressors.

both 11:31 Ro 2:6

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

a dog Ex 8:15 Mt 12:45 2Pe 2:22

returneth to his folly

12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

seest 22:29 29:20 Mt 21:31 Lu 7:44

a man 26:5,16 28:11 29:20 Mt 21:31 Lu 18:11 Ro 12:16 1Co 3:18,19 2Co 8:1,2 Re 3:17

13 The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.

15:19 19:15 22:13

14 As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.

6:9,10 12:24,27 24:33 Heb 6:12

15 The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.

slothful 19:24

it grieveth him or he is weary

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

26:12 12:15 1Pe 3:15

17 He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.

passeth 17:11 18:6 20:3 Lu 12:14 2Ti 2:23,24

meddleth or is enraged

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

firebrands is flames or sparks

19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?

and 10:23 14:9 15:21 Eph 5:4 2Pe 2:13

20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.

where no wood is or without wood
so 26:22 16:28 22:10 Jas 3:6

tale-bearer or whisperer is silent

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

10:12 15:18 29:22 Eze 22:9

innermost parts or chambers

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

words 18:8 2Sa 20:9,10 Eze 33:31 Lu 22:47,48

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

that is ardent professions of friendship from a wicked heart, however smooth shining and splendid they may appear, are like a vile vessel covered over with base metal 10:18 2Sa 20:9,10 Eze 33:31 Lu 22:47,48

24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;

dissembleth or is known

25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.

speaketh fair or maketh his voice gracious Ps 12:2 28:3 Jer 9:2-8 Mic 7:5

believe Jer 12:6 Mt 24:23

seven 6:16-19

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

whose hatred is covered by deceit or hatred is covered in secret Ge 4:8 1Sa 18:17,21 2Sa 3:27 13:22-28 Ps 55:21-23

27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.

diggeth 28:10 Es 7:10 Ps 7:15,16 9:15 10:2 57:6 Ec 10:8

28 A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.

lying or he that injures another hates him in proportion to the injury and in proportion to the innocence of the injured. Joh 8:40,44-49 10:32,33 15:22-24

a flattering 6:24 7:5,21-23 29:5 Lu 20:20,21