WATCHMAN33
A cinematic biblical illustration portrays the fool, the sluggard, and the whisperer in an ancient setting shaped by the chapter’s central figures and symbols.
KING JAMES VERSION

PROVERBS 26

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CHAPTER VISUAL

Proverbs 26 — The Fool, the Sluggard, and the Whisperer.

About this illustration

The composition centers the fool, the sluggard, and the whisperer as the chapter’s defining visual, using a unified, historically grounded scene while avoiding written text and any bodily depiction of God.

Scripture basis: Proverbs 26:1–28
  1. 1As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.
  2. 2As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.
  3. 3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back.
  4. 4Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
  5. 5Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
  6. 6He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.
  7. 7The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
  8. 8As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
  9. 9As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
  10. 10The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.
  11. 11As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.
  12. 12Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
  13. 13The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
  14. 14As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
  15. 15The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.
  16. 16The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
  17. 17He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
  18. 18As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
  19. 19So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
  20. 20Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
  21. 21As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
  22. 22The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
  23. 23Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
  24. 24He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
  25. 25When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
  26. 26Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.
  27. 27Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
  28. 28A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.

King James Version · Standardized 1769 text with Strong’s numbering · Public domain outside the United Kingdom

EXPLORE THE MESSAGE

Related Watchman 33 Resources

Archaeological Evidence

ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEManuscript
5th century BC; copied after an account dated about 475 BC

The Aramaic Words of Ahiqar from Elephantine

A fifth-century BC Aramaic papyrus from Elephantine preserves part of the story and sayings of the wise courtier Ahiqar. The manuscript documents wisdom literature in the same Persian-period world as biblical Proverbs and Job while remaining a distinct, non-Yahwistic composition.

Proverbs 10:19 · Proverbs 15:1–4 · Proverbs 26:27
Open evidence file

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Showing 1–3 of 5 sermons