Proverbs 26:2–4
As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.
As the bird by wandring, as the swallow by flying: so the curse causelesse shall not come.
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back.
*A whip for the horse, a bridle for the asse; and a rod for the fooles backe.
Original 1611 marginTranslation notes and cross-references are kept distinct.
- *Cross-referenceChap. 10.13. psal. 32.9.
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
Answere not a foole according to his folly, lest thou also be like vnto him.
Narration uses the Pure Cambridge Edition.
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15 Essential passages are open for comparison.
From verse 2
- Numbers 23:8Rank 1 from verse 2
- Nehemiah 13:2Rank 2 from verse 2
2Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing.
2*Because they met not the children of Israel with bread, and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing.
- Psalms 109:28Rank 3 from verse 2
- 2 Samuel 16:12Rank 4 from verse 2
- Deuteronomy 23:4–5Rank 5 from verse 2
4Because they met you not with bread and with water in the way, when ye came forth out of Egypt; and because they hired against thee Balaam the son of Beor of Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse thee.
5Nevertheless the Lord thy God would not hearken unto Balaam; but the Lord thy God turned the curse into a blessing unto thee, because the Lord thy God loved thee.
4Because they met you not with bread and with water in the way when ye came forth out of Egypt, and *because they hired against thee Balaam the son of Beor of Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse thee.
5Neuerthelesse, the LORD thy God would not hearken vnto Balaam: but the LORD thy God turned the curse into a blessing vnto thee, because the LORD thy God loued thee.
- 1 Samuel 17:43Rank 6 from verse 2
- Proverbs 27:8Rank 7 from verse 2
- 1 Samuel 14:28–29Rank 8 from verse 2
28Then answered one of the people, and said, Thy father straitly charged the people with an oath, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food this day. And the people were faint.
29Then said Jonathan, My father hath troubled the land: see, I pray you, how mine eyes have been enlightened, because I tasted a little of this honey.
28Then answered one of the people, and said, Thy father straitly charged the people with an oath, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food this day. And the people were ‖faint.
29Then said Ionathan, My father hath troubled the land: see, I pray you, how mine eyes haue beene enlightened, because I tasted a little of this honie:
From verse 3
- Proverbs 10:13Rank 1 from verse 3
- 1 Corinthians 4:21Rank 2 from verse 3
- Psalms 32:9Rank 3 from verse 3
9Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.
9*Be yee not as the horse, or as the mule which haue no vnderstanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, least they come neere vnto thee.
- 2 Corinthians 10:6Rank 4 from verse 3
- 2 Corinthians 13:2Rank 5 from verse 3
2I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other, that, if I come again, I will not spare:
2I told you before, and foretell you as if I were present the second time, and being absent, now I write to them which heretofore haue sinned, and to all other, that if I come againe I will not spare:
- Judges 8:5–7Rank 6 from verse 3
5And he said unto the men of Succoth, Give, I pray you, loaves of bread unto the people that follow me; for they be faint, and I am pursuing after Zebah and Zalmunna, kings of Midian.
6¶ And the princes of Succoth said, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thine hand, that we should give bread unto thine army?
7And Gideon said, Therefore when the Lord hath delivered Zebah and Zalmunna into mine hand, then I will tear your flesh with the thorns of the wilderness and with briers.
5And he said vnto the men of Succoth, Giue, I pray you, loaues of bread vnto the people that follow me, for they bee faint, and I am pursuing after Zebah and Zalmunna, kings of Midian.
6¶ And the princes of Succoth said, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thine hands, that wee should giue bread vnto thine armie?
7And Gideon said, Therfore when the LORD hath deliuered Zebah and Zalmunna into mine hand, then I wil †teare your flesh with the thornes of the wildernesse, and with briers.
- Proverbs 17:10Rank 7 from verse 3
- Proverbs 19:25Rank 8 from verse 3
- Proverbs 19:29Rank 9 from verse 3
- Proverbs 27:22Rank 10 from verse 3
From verse 4
- Proverbs 26:5Rank 1 from verse 4
- 1 Peter 3:9Rank 2 from verse 4
9Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
9Not rendring euill for euill, or railing for railing: but contrarywise blessing, knowing that yee are thereunto called, that ye should inherite a blessing.
9Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.
9Yet Michael the Archangel, when contending with the deuill, he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, *The Lord rebuke thee.
- 1 Kings 12:14Rank 4 from verse 4
14And spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke: my father also chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.
14And spake to them after the counsell of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heauy, and I will adde to your yoke; my father also chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.
- Proverbs 17:14Rank 5 from verse 4
- 1 Kings 12:16Rank 6 from verse 4
16¶ So when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: to your tents, O Israel: now see to thine own house, David. So Israel departed unto their tents.
16¶ So when all Israel saw that the king hearkned not vnto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion haue we in Dauid? neither haue we inheritance in the sonne of Iesse: to your tents, O Israel: nowe see to thine owne house, Dauid. So Israel departed vnto their tents.
- 2 Samuel 19:41–43Rank 7 from verse 4
41¶ And, behold, all the men of Israel came to the king, and said unto the king, Why have our brethren the men of Judah stolen thee away, and have brought the king, and his household, and all David’s men with him, over Jordan?
42And all the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, Because the king is near of kin to us: wherefore then be ye angry for this matter? have we eaten at all of the king’s cost? or hath he given us any gift?
43And the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, and said, We have ten parts in the king, and we have also more right in David than ye: why then did ye despise us, that our advice should not be first had in bringing back our king? And the words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel.
41¶ And behold, all the men of Israel came to the king, and said vnto the king, Why haue our brethren the men of Iudah stollen thee away, and haue brought the King and his houshold, and all Dauids men with him, ouer Iordane?
42And all the men of Iudah answered the men of Israel, Because the king is neere of kinne to vs: wherefore then be ye angrie for this matter? Haue we eaten at all of the kings cost? or hath he giuen vs any gift?
43And the men of Israel answered the men of Iudah, and said, Wee haue ten parts in the king, and we haue also more right in Dauid then yee: why then did yee †despise vs, that our aduice should not be first had in bringing backe our king? And the wordes of the men of Iudah were fiercer then the words of the men of Israel.
- Judges 12:1–6Rank 8 from verse 4
1AND the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and went northward, and said unto Jephthah, Wherefore passedst thou over to fight against the children of Ammon, and didst not call us to go with thee? we will burn thine house upon thee with fire.
2And Jephthah said unto them, I and my people were at great strife with the children of Ammon; and when I called you, ye delivered me not out of their hands.
3And when I saw that ye delivered me not, I put my life in my hands, and passed over against the children of Ammon, and the Lord delivered them into my hand: wherefore then are ye come up unto me this day, to fight against me?
4Then Jephthah gathered together all the men of Gilead, and fought with Ephraim: and the men of Gilead smote Ephraim, because they said, Ye Gileadites are fugitives of Ephraim among the Ephraimites, and among the Manassites.
5And the Gileadites took the passages of Jordan before the Ephraimites: and it was so, that when those Ephraimites which were escaped said, Let me go over; that the men of Gilead said unto him, Art thou an Ephraimite? If he said, Nay;
6Then said they unto him, Say now Shibboleth: and he said Sibboleth: for he could not frame to pronounce it right. Then they took him, and slew him at the passages of Jordan: and there fell at that time of the Ephraimites forty and two thousand.
1¶ And the men of Ephraim †gathered themselues together, and went Northward, & said vnto Iephthah, Wherefore passedst thou ouer to fight against the children of Ammon, and didst not call vs to goe with thee? Wee will burne thine house vpon thee with fire.
2And Iephthah saide vnto them, I and my people were at great strife with the children of Ammon: and when I called you, ye deliuered me not out of their hands.
3And when I sawe that ye deliuered me not, I put my life in my handes, and passed ouer against the children of Ammon, and the LORD deliuered them into my hand: Wherfore then are ye come vp vnto me this day, to fight against me?
4Then Iephthah gathered together all the men of Gilead, and fought with Ephraim: and the men of Gilead smote Ephraim, because they said, Yee Gileadites are fugitiues of Ephraim, among the Ephraimites and among the Manassites.
5And the Gileadites tooke the passages of Iordan before the Ephraimites: and it was so that when those Ephraimites which were escaped saide, Let me go ouer, that the men of Gilead said vnto him, Art thou an Ephraimite? If he said, Nay:
6Then said they vnto him, Say now, Shibboleth: and he said, Sibboleth: for hee could not frame to pronounce it right. Then they tooke him, and slewe him at the passages of Iordan: and there fell at that time of the Ephraimites, fourtie & two thousand.
- 1 Peter 2:21–23Rank 9 from verse 4
21For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
22Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
23Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
21For euen hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for †vs, leauing vs an example, that yee should follow his steps.
22Who did no sinne, neither was guile found in his mouth.
23Who when hee was reuiled, reuiled not againe; when hee suffered, hee threatned not, but ‖committed himselfe to him that iudgeth righteously.
- 2 Kings 14:8–10Rank 10 from verse 4
8¶ Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash, the son of Jehoahaz son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, Come, let us look one another in the face.
9And Jehoash the king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, The thistle that was in Lebanon sent to the cedar that was in Lebanon, saying, Give thy daughter to my son to wife: and there passed by a wild beast that was in Lebanon, and trode down the thistle.
10Thou hast indeed smitten Edom, and thine heart hath lifted thee up: glory of this, and tarry at home: for why shouldest thou meddle to thy hurt, that thou shouldest fall, even thou, and Judah with thee?
8¶ Then Amaziah sent messengers to Iehoash the sonne of Iehoahaz sonne of Iehu king of Israel, saying, Come, let vs looke one another in the face.
9And Iehoash the king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Iudah, saying, The thistle that was in Lebanon, sent to the Cedar that was in Lebanon, saying, Giue thy daughter to my sonne to wife. And there passed by a wilde beast that was in Lebanon, and trode downe the thistle.
10Thou hast indeed smitten Edom, and thine heart hath lifted thee vp: glory of this, and tary †at home: for why shouldest thou meddle to thy hurt, that thou shouldest fall, euen thou, and Iudah with thee?
- Isaiah 36:21Rank 11 from verse 4
WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE
Definitions
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DEFINED WORDS
Proverbs 26:2
A feathered winged creature; a fowl.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Moving without a settled course; straying from the right way.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: A small bird. Sense 2: To take into the mouth and pass inward, consume, engulf, devour, or overwhelm.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Moving through the air by wings or passing rapidly through the air.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: A pronouncement, sentence, or imposed condition of evil, loss, or judgment; an oath invoking such a penalty. Sense 2: As a verb, to pronounce judgment or evil upon, condemn, or revile.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Without a just cause, ground, or reason.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
An auxiliary verb expressing future action, intention, promise, command, requirement, or determination.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
DEFINED WORDS
Proverbs 26:3
A lash or cord used for striking.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
A large hoofed animal used for riding, drawing, work, and war.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. The bit, reins, or headgear used to guide and restrain an animal. 2. A means of restraint or control. 3. To restrain or control.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
Sense 1: A person lacking wisdom or moral understanding. Sense 2: As a verb, to act foolishly or deceive.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: The rear part; a position or direction behind. Sense 2: A return to a former place or condition.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
DEFINED WORDS
Proverbs 26:4
Sense 1: A reply or response. Sense 2: As a verb, to reply, respond, or give account.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: A person lacking wisdom or moral understanding. Sense 2: As a verb, to act foolishly or deceive.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Agreeing or corresponding; in conformity with; as stated, measured, or directed by.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
For fear that, to prevent the possibility that, or so that an undesired or warned-of result may not occur.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
The singular second-person subject pronoun, meaning you when directly addressing one person, being, or individually treated addressee.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
Sense 1: Similar or of the same kind; in the same manner; likely. Sense 2: A like person or thing; an equal or counterpart. Sense 3: To please, choose, or regard with favour.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828
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Surrounding Verses
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1AS snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.
1¶ As snow in summer, and as raine in haruest: so honour is not seemely for a foole.
2As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.
2As the bird by wandring, as the swallow by flying: so the curse causelesse shall not come.
Selected passage3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back.
3*A whip for the horse, a bridle for the asse; and a rod for the fooles backe.
Selected passage4Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
4Answere not a foole according to his folly, lest thou also be like vnto him.
Selected passage5Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
5†Answere a foole according to his folly, lest hee be wise in his owne conceit.