16 The slacker is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer discreetly.
Focused Passage
Proverbs 26:16
Fools, Sluggards, Quarrels, Gossip, Deceitful Speech, and the Ruin of Unrestrained Folly
The chapter moves from an extended warning about fools, to the self-deception of sluggards, to the danger of meddling and harmful joking, to gossip as conflict fuel, and finally to the concealed malice of lying and flattering speech.
Berean Standard Bible, Public Domain - Translation notes - Reference sources
Study Helps
References and Original Words
Verse 16
Cross-references
Original words
The slacker עָצֵ֣ל H6102 Adjective - masculine singular [is] wiser חָכָ֣ם H2450 Adjective - masculine singular in his own eyes בְּעֵינָ֑יו H5869 Preposition-b | Noun - cdc | third person masculine singular than seven men מִ֝שִּׁבְעָ֗ה H7651 Preposition-m | Number - masculine singular who answer מְשִׁ֣יבֵי H7725 Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine plural construct discreetly טָֽעַם׃ H2940 Noun - masculine singular