Proverbs 26:2

Modern

Like a fluttering sparrow or darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest.

Traditional

As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.

Literal

Like the sparrow in fluttering, like the swallow in flying, so a curse without cause does not come.

Latin

Sicut avis ad alia transvolans, et passer quolibet vadens, sic maledictum frustra prolatum in quempiam superveniet.

Hebrew

English

Like a fluttering sparrow or darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest.

Curses and blessings can truly impact people (see Genesis 27:1–41; 48:8–9, 15–20; Numbers 6:23–27), but a curse without cause does not work.

Numbers 23:8
How can I curse those whom God has not cursed? How can I denounce those whom the LORD has not denounced?
Nehemiah 13:2
…because they had not met the Israelites with food and water, but had hired Balaam to call down a curse against them (although our God had turned the curse into a blessing).
Psalm 109:28
Though they curse, You will bless. When they rise up, they will be put to shame, but Your servant will rejoice.
2 Samuel 16:12
Perhaps the LORD will see my affliction and repay me with good for the cursing I receive today.”
Deuteronomy 23:4–5
For they did not meet you with food and water on your way out of Egypt, and they hired Balaam son of Beor from Pethor in Aram-naharaim to curse you.
1 Samuel 17:43
“Am I a dog,” he said to David, “that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.
Proverbs 27:8
Like a bird that strays from its nest is a man who wanders from his home.
1 Samuel 14:28–29
Then one of the soldiers told him, “Your father bound the troops with a solemn oath, saying, ‘Cursed is the man who eats food today.’ That is why the people are faint.”