Proverbs 25: 1 - 26: 28
1These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out. |
2It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, |
but the glory of kings is to search out a matter. |
3As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, |
so the hearts of kings are unsearchable. |
4Take away the dross from the silver, |
and material comes out for the refiner; |
5Take away the wicked from the king’s presence, |
and his throne will be established in righteousness. |
6Don’t exalt yourself in the presence of the king, |
or claim a place amongst great men; |
7for it is better that it be said to you, “Come up here,” |
than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince, |
whom your eyes have seen. |
8Don’t be hasty in bringing charges to court. |
What will you do in the end when your neighbour shames you? |
9Debate your case with your neighbour, |
and don’t betray the confidence of another, |
10lest one who hears it put you to shame, |
and your bad reputation never depart. |
11A word fitly spoken |
is like apples of gold in settings of silver. |
12As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, |
so is a wise reprover to an obedient ear. |
13As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, |
so is a faithful messenger to those who send him; |
for he refreshes the soul of his masters. |
14As clouds and wind without rain, |
so is he who boasts of gifts deceptively. |
15By patience a ruler is persuaded. |
A soft tongue breaks the bone. |
16Have you found honey? |
Eat as much as is sufficient for you, |
lest you eat too much, and vomit it. |
17Let your foot be seldom in your neighbour’s house, |
lest he be weary of you, and hate you. |
18A man who gives false testimony against his neighbour |
is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow. |
19Confidence in someone unfaithful in time of trouble |
is like a bad tooth or a lame foot. |
20As one who takes away a garment in cold weather, |
or vinegar on soda, |
so is one who sings songs to a heavy heart. |
21If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat. |
If he is thirsty, give him water to drink; |
22for you will heap coals of fire on his head, |
and the LORD will reward you. |
23The north wind produces rain; |
so a backbiting tongue brings an angry face. |
24It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop |
than to share a house with a contentious woman. |
25Like cold water to a thirsty soul, |
so is good news from a far country. |
26Like a muddied spring and a polluted well, |
so is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked. |
27It is not good to eat much honey, |
nor is it honourable to seek one’s own honour. |
28Like a city that is broken down and without walls |
is a man whose spirit is without restraint. |
1Like snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, |
so honour is not fitting for a fool. |
2Like a fluttering sparrow, |
like a darting swallow, |
so the undeserved curse doesn’t come to rest. |
3A whip is for the horse, |
a bridle for the donkey, |
and a rod for the back of fools! |
4Don’t answer a fool according to his folly, |
lest you also be like him. |
5Answer a fool according to his folly, |
lest he be wise in his own eyes. |
6One who sends a message by the hand of a fool |
is cutting off feet and drinking violence. |
7Like the legs of the lame that hang loose, |
so is a parable in the mouth of fools. |
8As one who binds a stone in a sling, |
so is he who gives honour to a fool. |
9Like a thorn bush that goes into the hand of a drunkard, |
so is a parable in the mouth of fools. |
10As an archer who wounds all, |
so is he who hires a fool |
or he who hires those who pass by. |
11As a dog that returns to his vomit, |
so is a fool who repeats his folly. |
12Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? |
There is more hope for a fool than for him. |
13The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! |
A fierce lion roams the streets!” |
14As the door turns on its hinges, |
so does the sluggard on his bed. |
15The sluggard buries his hand in the dish. |
He is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth. |
16The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes |
than seven men who answer with discretion. |
17Like one who grabs a dog’s ears |
is one who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own. |
18Like a madman who shoots torches, arrows, and death, |
19is the man who deceives his neighbour and says, “Am I not joking?” |
20For lack of wood a fire goes out. |
Without gossip, a quarrel dies down. |
21As coals are to hot embers, |
and wood to fire, |
so is a contentious man to kindling strife. |
22The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, |
they go down into the innermost parts. |
23Like silver dross on an earthen vessel |
are the lips of a fervent one with an evil heart. |
24A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, |
but he harbours evil in his heart. |
25When his speech is charming, don’t believe him, |
for there are seven abominations in his heart. |
26His malice may be concealed by deception, |
but his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly. |
27Whoever digs a pit shall fall into it. |
Whoever rolls a stone, it will come back on him. |
28A lying tongue hates those it hurts; |
and a flattering mouth works ruin. |
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