Proverbs 26 Comparison: Noyes Translation (1869) vs King James Version
Proverbs 26
1As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, So honor is not becoming to a fool.
2As the sparrow wandereth, and the swallow flieth away, So the curse without cause shall not come.
3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, And a rod for the back of the fool.
4Answer not a fool according to his folly, Lest thou also become like to him.
5Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own conceit.
6He cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage, Who sendeth a message by the hand of a fool.
7The legs of a lame man hang loose; So is it with a proverb in the mouth of fools.
8As he who bindeth a stone in a sling, So is he that giveth honor to a fool.
9As a thorn lifted up by the hand of a drunkard, So is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
10As an archer who woundeth every one, So is he who hireth fools and hireth wayfarers.
11As a dog returneth to that which he hath vomited, So a fool repeateth his folly.
12Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him.
13The slothful man saith, "There is a lion in the way; There is a lion in the streets."
14As a door turneth upon its hinges, So doth the sluggard upon his bed.
15The sluggard dippeth his hand into the dish; It grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.
16The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit Than seven men who can render a reason.
17As one that taketh a dog by the ears, So is he who, passing by, is enraged on account of the quarrel of another.
18As a madman That casteth about darts, arrows, and death,
19So is the man who deceiveth his neighbor, And saith, "Was I not in sport?"
20Where there is no wood, the fire goeth out; So, where there is no talebearer, contention ceaseth.
21As coal is for heat, and as wood for fire, So is a contentious man for kindling strife.
22The words of a talebearer are like dainties; For they go down to the innermost parts of the body.
23As drossy silver spread over an earthen vessel, So are warm lips and an evil heart.
24The hater dissembleth with his lips, And layeth up deceit within him.
25When he speaketh fair, believe him not! For there are seven abominations in his heart.
26His hatred is covered by deceit; His wickedness shall be revealed in the great assembly.
27He that diggeth a pit shall fall therein; And he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.
28A lying tongue hateth those whom it woundeth, And a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
Proverbs 26
1As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.
2As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.
3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back.
4Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
5Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
6He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.
7The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
8As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
9As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
10The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.
11As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.
12Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
13The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
14As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
15The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.
16The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
17He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
18As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
19So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
20Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
21As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
22The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
23Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
24He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
25When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.
27Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
28A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
Understanding Noyes Translation (1869) vs King James Version in Proverbs 26
Noyes Translation (1869) (Noyes)
A scholarly 1869 translation by George R. Noyes, aiming for precision and literary beauty. Known for its distinct Unitarian perspective and separate translation of poetical books like Psalms.
King James Version (KJV)
The classic 1611 English translation known for its majestic prose and literary influence. Ideal for traditional study and memorization thanks to its formal style. A foundational English Bible used for centuries.
You are viewing a side-by-side comparison of Proverbs 26 in the Noyes Translation (1869) and King James Version. Comparing these two versions can help shed light on the nuances of the original text.
Key Comparison: Proverbs 26:16
"The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit Than seven men who can render a reason."
"The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason."
