Proverbs 25:1-Proverbs 29:27 - More Proverbs Of Solomon

¹ Here are some more proverbs by Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, transcribed.

² It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, and the glory of kings to investigate a matter. ³ Just as the heavens are high and earth is deep, so the heart of a king is unfathomable.

⁴ Purge the dross from the silver, and material for a vessel comes forth for the silversmith. ⁵ Purge the wicked from the king's presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness.

⁶ Don't magnify yourself in the presence of a king, and don't pretend to be in the company of famous men, ⁷ for it is better that it be told you, "Come up here," than for you to be placed lower in the presence of an official. What you've seen with your own eyes,

⁸ don't be in a hurry to argue in court. Otherwise, what will you do later on when your neighbor humiliates you? ⁹ Instead, take up the matter with your neighbor, and don't betray another person's confidence. ¹⁰ Otherwise, anyone who hears will make you ashamed, and your bad reputation will never leave you.

¹¹ Like golden apples set in silver is a word spoken at the right time. ¹² Like a gold earring and a necklace of pure gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear.

¹³ Like cold snow during harvest time is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes his masters.

¹⁴ Like clouds and winds without rain is the man who brags about gifts he never gave. ¹⁵ Through patience a ruler may be persuaded; a gentle word can break a bone. ¹⁶ If you find some honey, eat only what you need. Take too much, and you'll vomit. ¹⁷ Seldom set foot in your neighbor's home; otherwise, he'll grow weary and hate you.

¹⁸ A club, a sword, and a sharp arrow that's what a man is who lies about his neighbor. ¹⁹ A bad tooth and an unsteady foot that's what confidence in an unreliable man is like in a time of trouble.

²⁰ Taking your coat off when it's cold or pouring vinegar on soda that's what singing songs does to a heavy heart.

²¹ If your enemy hungers, give him food to eat; and if he thirsts, give him water to drink. ²² For you'll be piling burning coals of shame on his head and the LORD will reward you.

²³ The north wind brings rain, and a backbiting tongue an angry look. ²⁴ It's better to live in a corner on the roof than in a house with a contentious woman. ²⁵ Cold water to someone who is thirsty that's what good news from a distant land is. ²⁶ A muddied spring or a polluted well that's what a righteous person is who compromises with the wicked. ²⁷ To eat too much honey isn't good; and neither is it honorable to seek one's own glory. ²⁸ Like a city with breached walls is a man without self-control.

¹ Like snowfall in summer or rain at harvest time, so honor is inappropriate for a fool. ² Like a fluttering sparrow or a swallow in flight, a curse without cause will not alight. ³ A whip is for the horses, a bridle is for the donkey, a rod is for the back of fools. ⁴ Don't answer a fool according to his foolishness, or you will be just like him. ⁵ Answer a fool according to his foolishness, or he will think himself to be wise. ⁶ Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence. ⁷ Useless legs to the lame that's what a proverb quoted by a fool is. ⁸ Tying a stone to a sling that's what giving honor to a fool is. ⁹ A thorn in the hand of a drunkard that's what a proverb quoted by a fool is. ¹⁰ An archer who shoots at anyone is like someone who hires a fool or anyone who passes by. ¹¹ A dog that returns to its vomit is like a fool who reverts to his folly. ¹² Do you see a man who is wise in his own opinion? There's more hope for a fool than for him.

¹³ The lazy person claims, "There is a lion in the road! There's a lion in the streets!" ¹⁴ The door turns on its hinges as does the lazy person on his bed. ¹⁵ The lazy person buries his hand in the dish, but he's too tired to bring it to his mouth again. ¹⁶ The lazy person is wiser in his own opinion than seven men who can give an appropriate response.

¹⁷ Picking up a dog by the ears that's what someone is like who meddles in another's fight. ¹⁸ Like the maniac who shoots fiery darts and deadly arrows ¹⁹ that's what someone is like who lies to his neighbor and then says, "I was joking, wasn't I?"

²⁰ Without wood, the fire goes out. Without a gossip, contention stops. ²¹ Charcoal is to hot coals as wood is to fire; so also a quarrelsome man fuels strife. ²² The words of a gossip are like delicate morsels; they sink down deep within.

²³ A clay vessel plated with a thin veneer of silver that's what smooth lips with a wicked heart are. ²⁴ Someone who hates hides behind his words, harboring deceit within himself. ²⁵ Though he speaks graciously, don't believe him, for there are seven detestable things in his heart. ²⁶ Though malice disguises itself with deception, its evil will be exposed publicly. ²⁷ Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and the stone will come back on whoever starts it rolling. ²⁸ A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth causes ruin.

¹ Never brag about the day to come, because you don't know what it might bring.

² Let someone else praise you, not your own mouth; a stranger, and never your own lips.

³ Rocks are heavy, and sand is weighty, but a fool's provocation outweighs them both.

⁴ Wrath can be fierce and anger overwhelms but who can stand up to jealousy?

⁵ An open rebuke is better than unspoken love.

⁶ Wounds from someone who loves are trustworthy, but kisses from an enemy speak volumes.

⁷ The person who is full spurns honey, but to a hungry person even the bitter seems sweet.

⁸ Like a bird that strays from its nest is a man who wanders away from his home.

⁹ Ointments and perfume encourage the heart; in a similar way, a friend's advice is sweet to the soul.

¹⁰ Never abandon your friend nor your father's friend, and don't go to your brother's house in times of trouble. A neighbor who is near is better than a brother who lives far away.

¹¹ Be wise, my son, and make me happy, so I can reply to anyone who insults me.

¹² Those who are prudent see danger and take refuge, but the naive continue on and suffer the consequences.

¹³ Take the coat of anyone who puts up security for a stranger; hold it in pledge if he cosigns for an immoral woman.

¹⁴ A friend's loud blessing early in the morning will be thought of as a curse.

¹⁵ A continual dripping on a rainy day and a contentious wife are alike.

¹⁶ Trying to keep her in check is like stopping a wind storm or grabbing oil with your right hand.

¹⁷ Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens a friend's character.

¹⁸ Whoever nurtures the fig tree will eat its fruit, and whoever obeys his master will be honored.

¹⁹ Just as water reflects the face, so the heart reflects the person.

²⁰ Sheol and Abaddon are never satiated, and neither are human eyes.

²¹ As the crucible tests silver, and the furnace assays gold; so praise received tests a man.

²² Though you crush a fool in a mortar and pestle as someone might crush grain, his stupidity still won't leave him.

²³ Keep well informed of the condition of your flocks and pay attention to your herds,

²⁴ because riches don't endure forever, and crowns don't last from one generation to the next.

²⁵ When the grass disappears, and new growth appears, the mountain spices will be harvested,

²⁶ the lambs will supply your clothing, and your goats the price of a field.

²⁷ You will have enough goat's milk to drink and to supply your household needs, as well as sustenance for your servant girls.

¹ The wicked flee, though no one pursues, but the righteous are bold like a lion.

² When a land transgresses, it gains a succession of leaders, but with an understanding and knowledgeable man, its stability endures.

³ A poor man who oppresses the weak is like a rainstorm that destroys all the crops.

⁴ Those who forsake the Law praise the wicked, but whoever keeps it fights them.

⁵ Evil men don't understand justice, but whoever seeks the LORD understands it all.

⁶ It's better to be poor and live a blameless life than to be rich but crooked in one's lifestyle.

⁷ Whoever keeps the Law is a discerning son, but whoever keeps company with gluttons brings shame to his father.

⁸ Whoever gains wealth by charging exorbitant interest collects it for someone who is kind to the poor.

⁹ If someone quits listening to the Law even his prayer is detestable.

¹⁰ Whoever misleads the upright along an evil way will himself fall into his own pit, but the blameless will inherit what is good.

¹¹ The rich man may be wise in his own opinion; but a discerning, poor man sees through him.

¹² When the righteous are victorious, there is great glory, but when the wicked arise, men hide themselves.

¹³ Whoever hides his transgressions will not succeed, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will find mercy.

¹⁴ Blessed is the man who always fears the LORD, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into disaster.

¹⁵ A roaring lion and a charging bear that's what a wicked tyrant is over poor people.

¹⁶ A Commander-in-Chief who is a cruel oppressor lacks understanding, but whoever hates unjust gain will live longer.

¹⁷ A guilty man tormented by bloodshed will be a lifelong fugitive; let no one support him.

¹⁸ Whoever lives blamelessly will be delivered, but whoever is perverted will fall without warning.