Chapter 26
We all know that person. The one who never takes responsibility, blames everyone else when things go sideways, and somehow manages to trip over the exact same mistake… again. And again. And again.
And let’s be real — when we read Proverbs 26, it’s way too easy to start mentally assigning verses to people we know. “Oh, that’s totally Steve.” “Verse 12? That’s so my sister-in-law.” But here’s the thing: these verses weren’t written so we could become spiritual critics. They’re a mirror — not a magnifying glass. Proverbs, including this chapter, is most powerful when we stop looking around and start looking within.
Proverbs 26 puts the spotlight on foolishness — not the harmless kind, but the kind that keeps people stuck. It talks about laziness, dishonesty, pride, and repeating the same choices that lead to destruction. It even drops a pretty intense visual: a fool returning to their folly is like a dog going back to its vomit. Gross? Definitely. Accurate? Also yes.
But the point isn’t to go on a fool hunt — it’s to ask, “Where am I doing this?” Where am I repeating what I know doesn’t work? Where am I deflecting blame or ignoring wisdom?
This chapter gets real personal, real fast — if we’re willing to let it.
The good news? Wisdom is always calling. Change is always possible. But it starts with humility — being willing to admit where we’ve been foolish, and inviting God to help us break the cycle.
And that’s exactly where Jesus steps in. He doesn’t shame us into change — He sets us free with truth. Over and over, we see Him offer grace to people stuck in destructive patterns — not just to comfort them, but to call them into something better. And because of Him, we don’t have to stay stuck.
So read Proverbs 26 with a mirror, not a telescope. If something stings, let it. That’s where growth starts.
Set 1
1 Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, honor is not fitting for a fool.
2 Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest.
3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools!
4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.
6 Sending a message by the hands of a fool is like cutting off one’s feet or drinking poison.
7 Like the useless legs of one who is lame is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
8 Like tying a stone in a sling is the giving of honor to a fool.
9 Like a thornbush in a drunkard’s hand is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
10 Like an archer who wounds at random is one who hires a fool or any passer-by.
11 As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly.
12 Do you see a person wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them.
Set 2
13 A sluggard says, “There’s a lion in the road, a fierce lion roaming the streets!”
14 As a door turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed.
15 A sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.
16 A sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven people who answer discreetly.
Set 3
17 Like one who grabs a stray dog by the ears is someone who rushes into a quarrel not their own.
Set 4
18 Like a maniac shooting flaming arrows of death 19 is one who deceives their neighbor and says, “I was only joking!”
Set 5
20 Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down.
21 As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.
22 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.
Set 6
23 Like a coating of silver dross on earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart.
24 Enemies disguise themselves with their lips, but in their hearts they harbor deceit.
25 Though their speech is charming, do not believe them, for seven abominations fill their hearts.
26 Their malice may be concealed by deception, but their wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it; if someone rolls a stone, it will roll back on them.
28 A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin.