He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.
He that sendeth a message by ... a fool cutteth off the feet (of himself: i:e., deprives himself of the power of motion and action; thwarts himself, so that he cannot succeed in his affairs), (and) drinketh damage - incurs an accumulation of damage (cf. "drinketh," Job 15:16; Proverbs 4:17). The "feet" represent a support, in Job 29:15. He who sends a message by a fool deprives himself of the support which a wise messenger would have afforded him. He deprives his message of the support which it would have had if he had gone on his own "feet." Not only so, but he fills himself with damage, like a thirsty man drinking poison eagerly, which he mistakes for wholesome drink. As Proverbs 26:4 taught not to answer a fool, so this verse, not to address another through a fool. What "damage" the hearers 'drink' to whom the Gospel message is delivered by a ministerial "fool" (contrast 2 Corinthians 5:20.)