Jul 21 - Proverbs 25-27
Proverbs
1These are more proverbs of Solomon, copied by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:2It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings.3As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.4Remove the dross from the silver, and out comes material for the silversmith;5remove the wicked from the king's presence, and his throne will be established through righteousness.6Do not exalt yourself in the king's presence, and do not claim a place among great men;7it is better for him to say to you, "Come up here," than for him to humiliate you before a nobleman. What you have seen with your eyes8do not bring hastily to court, for what will you do in the end if your neighbor puts you to shame?9If you argue your case with a neighbor, do not betray another man's confidence,10or he who hears it may shame you and you will never lose your bad reputation.11A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.12Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man's rebuke to a listening ear.13Like the coolness of snow at harvest time is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the spirit of his masters.14Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of gifts he does not give.15Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.16If you find honey, eat just enough- too much of it, and you will vomit.17Seldom set foot in your neighbor's house- too much of you, and he will hate you.18Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow is the man who gives false testimony against his neighbor.19Like a bad tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in times of trouble.20Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar poured on soda, 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.22In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.23As a north wind brings rain, so a sly tongue brings angry looks.24Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.25Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land.26Like a muddied spring or a polluted well is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked.27It is not good to eat too much honey, nor is it honorable to seek one's own honor.28Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.
1Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, honor is not fitting for a fool.2Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest.3A whip for the horse, a halter for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools!4Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will be like him yourself.5Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.6Like cutting off one's feet or drinking violence is the sending of a message by the hand of a fool.7Like a lame man's legs that hang limp is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.8Like tying a stone in a sling is the giving of honor to a fool.9Like a thornbush in a drunkard's hand is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.10Like an archer who wounds at random is he who hires a fool or any passer-by.11As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool 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 roaming the streets!"14As a door turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns 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 discreetly.17Like one who seizes a dog by the ears is a passer-by who meddles in a quarrel not his own.18Like a madman shooting firebrands or deadly arrows19is a man who deceives his neighbor and says, "I was only joking!"20Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down.21As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.22The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man's inmost parts.23Like a coating of glaze over earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart.24A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, but in his heart he harbors deceit.25Though his speech is charming, do not believe him, for seven abominations fill his heart.26His malice may be concealed by deception, but his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.27If a man digs a pit, he will fall into it; if a man rolls a stone, it will roll back on him.28A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin.
1Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.2Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips.3Stone is heavy and sand a burden, but provocation by a fool is heavier than both.4Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?5Better is open rebuke than hidden love.6Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.7He who is full loathes honey, but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet.8Like a bird that strays from its nest is a man who strays from his home.9Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one's friend springs from his earnest counsel.10Do not forsake your friend and the friend of your father, and do not go to your brother's house when disaster strikes you- better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.11Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart; then I can answer anyone who treats me with contempt.12The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.13Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger; hold it in pledge if he does it for a wayward woman.14If a man loudly blesses his neighbor early in the morning, it will be taken as a curse.15A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping on a rainy day;16restraining her is like restraining the wind or grasping oil with the hand.17As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.18He who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who looks after his master will be honored.19As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man.20Death and Destruction are never satisfied, and neither are the eyes of man.21The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but man is tested by the praise he receives.22Though you grind a fool in a mortar, grinding him like grain with a pestle, you will not remove his folly from him.23Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds;24for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations.25When the hay is removed and new growth appears and the grass from the hills is gathered in,26the lambs will provide you with clothing, and the goats with the price of a field.27You will have plenty of goats' milk to feed you and your family and to nourish your servant girls.