The Skeptics Annotated Bible (507 page)

(26.17)
“He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.”

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

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

(26.20-28)

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

(26.20)
“Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.”

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

(26.21)
“As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.”

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

(26.22)
“The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.”

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

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

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

(26.24-25)
“He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him; When he speaketh fair, believe him not.”
308 Should we believe everything?

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

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

(26.27)
“Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.”

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

(26.28)
“A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.”

(27.1-11)

27
Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

(27.1)
“Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.”

2
Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.

(27.2)
“Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.”

3 A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool’s wrath is heavier than them both.

4
Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?

(27.4)
“Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?”

5
Open rebuke is better than secret love.

(27.5)
“Open rebuke is better than secret love.”

6
Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

(27.6)
“Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.”

7
The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.

(27.7)
“The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.”

8 As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so is a man that wandereth from his place.

9
Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel.

(27.9)
“Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel.”

10
Thine own friend, and thy father’s friend, forsake not;
neither go into thy brother’s house in the day of thy calamity: for
better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far off.

(27.10a)
“Thine own friend, and thy father’s friend, forsake not.”

(27.10b)
“Better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far off.”

11
My son, be wise, and make my heart glad
, that I may answer him that reproacheth me.

(27.11)
“My son, be wise, and make my heart glad.”

12 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.

13 Take his garment that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.

14
He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him.

(27.14)
“He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him.”

15
A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.

(27.15)
“A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.”
Contentious women” are like “a continual dropping on a very rainy day.” There are no contentious men. Well, maybe there are a few, but they are like sunny spring days.

16 Whosoever hideth her hideth the wind, and the ointment of his right hand, which bewrayeth itself.

17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

18 Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.

19 As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man.

20 Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.

21 As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise.

22
Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him.

(27.22) “Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him.”

23
Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.

(27.23)
“Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.”
Take care of your animals.

24 For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation?