Proverbs 26:19
17 Like one who grabs a dog by the ears is a passerby who meddles in a quarrel not his own.
18 Like a madman shooting firebrands and deadly arrows,
so is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I was only joking!”
20 Without wood, a fire goes out; without gossip, a conflict ceases.
21 Like charcoal for embers and wood for fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- so is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I was only joking!”
- KJV
- So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
- WEB
- is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “Am I not joking?”
- ASV
- So is the man that deceiveth his neighbor, And saith, Am not I in sport?
- DARBY
- so is a man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am I not in sport?
- BLB
- so [is] the man who has deceived his neighbor, and he says, “Am I not playing?”
- ÅB
- er en mann som har sveket sin venn og så sier: Jeg spøker jo bare!
- OTB
- er den som bedrar en nabo og sier: “Jeg bare spøkte!”
- B1930
- er en mann som har sveket sin venn og så sier: Jeg spøker jo bare!
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Ephesians 5:4
Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or crude joking, which are out of character, but rather thanksgiving.
Read in contextProverbs 10:23
The fool delights in shameful conduct, but a man of understanding has wisdom.
Read in contextProverbs 14:9
Fools mock the making of amends, but goodwill is found among the upright.
Read in contextProverbs 15:21
Folly is joy to one who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding walks a straight path.
Read in context2 Peter 2:13
The harm they will suffer is the wages of their wickedness. They consider it a pleasure to carouse in broad daylight. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their deception as they feast with you.
Read in context