Proverbs chapter 26

vs 10

I assume hiring a fool isn't like shooting him at random. More like hiring a fool is as useless as someone who shoots your own men. You might get some good results, but you also end up with unnecessary wounds, and low morale.

vs 11

Finally! Probably one of the best known proverbs outside all the typical memory verses. Everyone knows that dogs go back and sniff their vomit, possibly even give it a lick. Fools are the same. We should learn from our mistakes, but every time we go and make the same mistake again, we reinforce our foolishness.

vs 12

Eep!

I've never read anything so scary. There's something worse than being a simple fool - it's thinking yourself wise. Humility is certainly the order of the day.

vs 13

In other words, don't go outside, because it's dangerous. Just stay in bed where it's safe. I'm not sure if he's lying, making up excuses, or what. Probably whatever it takes to stay in bed.

vs 14

I'm guessing that means they just toss and turn, rolling from side to side a lot. Is this saying that sluggards spend so much time in bed that they don't actually sleep well? Maybe because they don't tire themselves out at work? Not sure.

vs 15

Wow, they really hate sluggards. I mean, this is just an insult now.

vs 16

And since we've already heard that someone who thinks they are wise in their own eyes is worse than a fool, sluggards are now seven times worse than that! Not sure why a sluggard thinks they are wise. Perhaps because they have beat the system?

vs 17

In other words, prepare to get bit. That's a great piece of advice.

vs 18

Okay, just right there, even out of context, this verse is fantastic. A maniac shooting flaming arrows of death. What delightful imagery!

vs 19

"Just kidding" is one of those cowardly terms people use when they want to say something mean, or untrue, or deceptive, and aren't good enough liars or suave enough talkers to get away with it. It's incredibly to think that this has such a long history. Some things really never change.