Study

25. Proverbs of Solomon

    ² It is the glory of God to conceal a matter;
   to search out a matter is the glory of kings.
³ As the heavens are high and the earth is deep,
   so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.

    ⁴ Remove the dross from the silver,
   and a silversmith can produce a vessel;
⁵ remove wicked officials from the king’s presence,
   and his throne will be established through righteousness.

    ⁶ Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence,
   and do not claim a place among his great men;
⁷ it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,”
   than for him to humiliate you before his nobles.

   What you have seen with your eyes
    ⁸ do not bring Or nobles / on whom you had set your eyes. / Do not go hastily to court,
for what will you do in the end
   if your neighbor puts you to shame?

    ⁹ If you take your neighbor to court,
   do not betray another’s confidence,
¹⁰ or the one who hears it may shame you
   and the charge against you will stand.

    ¹¹ Like apples Or possibly apricots of gold in settings of silver
   is a ruling rightly given.
¹² Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold
   is the rebuke of a wise judge to a listening ear.

    ¹³ Like a snow-cooled drink at harvest time
   is a trustworthy messenger to the one who sends him;
   he refreshes the spirit of his master.
¹⁴ Like clouds and wind without rain
   is one who boasts of gifts never given.

    ¹⁵ Through patience a ruler can be persuaded,
   and a gentle tongue can break a bone.

    ¹⁶ If you find honey, eat just enough—
   too much of it, and you will vomit.
¹⁷ Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house—
   too much of you, and they will hate you.

    ¹⁸ Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow
   is one who gives false testimony against a neighbor.
¹⁹ Like a broken tooth or a lame foot
   is reliance on the unfaithful in a time of trouble.
²⁰ Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day,
   or like vinegar poured on a wound,
   is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.

    ²¹ If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;
   if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
²² In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head,
   and the LORD will reward you.

    ²³ Like a north wind that brings unexpected rain
   is a sly tongue—which provokes a horrified look.

    ²⁴ Better to live on a corner of the roof
   than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.

    ²⁵ Like cold water to a weary soul
   is good news from a distant land.
²⁶ Like a muddied spring or a polluted well
   are the righteous who give way to the wicked.

    ²⁷ It is not good to eat too much honey,
   nor is it honorable to search out matters that are too deep.

    ²⁸ Like a city whose walls are broken through
   is a person who lacks self-control.