Proverbs 25
25
More of Solomon's Wise Sayings
1Here are some more
of Solomon's proverbs.
They were copied by the officials
of King Hezekiah of Judah.
2God is praised
for being mysterious;
rulers are praised
for explaining mysteries.
3Who can fully understand
the thoughts of a ruler?
They reach beyond the sky
and go deep in the earth.
4Silver must be purified
before it can be used
to make something of value.
5Evil people must be removed
before anyone can rule
with justice.
6 #
Lk 14.8-10. Don't try to seem important
in the court of a ruler.
7It's better for the ruler
to give you a high position
than for you to be embarrassed
in front of royal officials.
Be sure you are right
8before you sue someone,
or you might lose your case
and be embarrassed.
9When you and someone else
can't get along,
don't gossip about it.#25.9 When … it: Or “Settle a problem privately between you and your neighbor and don't involve others.”
10Others will find out,
and your reputation
will then be ruined.
11The right word
at the right time
is like precious gold
set in silver.
12Listening to good advice
is worth much more
than jewelry made of gold.
13A messenger you can trust
is just as refreshing
as cool water in summer.
14Broken promises
are worse than rain clouds
that don't bring rain.
15Patience and gentle talk
can convince a ruler
and overcome any problem.
16Eating too much honey
can make you sick.
17Don't visit friends too often,
or they will get tired of it
and start hating you.
18Telling lies about friends
is like attacking them
with clubs and swords
and sharp arrows.
19A friend you can't trust
in times of trouble
is like having a toothache
or a sore foot.
20Singing to someone
in deep sorrow
is like pouring vinegar
in an open cut.#25.20 cut: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verse 20.
21 #
Ro 12.20. If your enemies are hungry,
give them something to eat.
And if they are thirsty,
give them something
to drink.
22This will be the same
as piling burning coals
on their heads.
And the Lord
will reward you.
23As surely as rain blows in
from the north,
anger is caused
by cruel words.
24It's better to stay outside
on the roof of your house
than to live inside
with a nagging wife.
25Good news from far away
refreshes like cold water
when you are thirsty.
26When a good person gives in
to the wicked,
it's like dumping garbage
in a stream of clear water.
27Don't eat too much honey
or always want praise.#25.27 or … praise: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
28Losing self-control
leaves you as helpless
as a city without a wall.
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Proverbs 25: CEV
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Contemporary English Version, Second Edition (CEV®)
© 2006 American Bible Society. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 25
25
More Proverbs of Solomon
1These are more proverbs of Solomon, compiled 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 a silversmith can produce a vessel;
5remove wicked officials 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 his great men;
7it 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
8do not bring#25:7,8 Or nobles / on whom you had set your eyes. / 8 Do not go hastily to court,
for what will you do in the end
if your neighbor puts you to shame?
9If you take your neighbor to court,
do not betray another’s confidence,
10or the one who hears it may shame you
and the charge against you will stand.
11Like apples#25:11 Or possibly apricots of gold in settings of silver
is a ruling rightly given.
12Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold
is the rebuke of a wise judge to a listening ear.
13Like a snow-cooled drink at harvest time
is a trustworthy messenger to the one who sends him;
he refreshes the spirit of his master.
14Like clouds and wind without rain
is one who boasts of gifts never given.
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 they will hate you.
18Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow
is one who gives false testimony against a neighbor.
19Like a broken tooth or a lame foot
is reliance on the unfaithful in a time of trouble.
20Like 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.
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.
23Like a north wind that brings unexpected rain
is a sly tongue—which provokes a horrified look.
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
are the righteous who give way to the wicked.
27It is not good to eat too much honey,
nor is it honorable to search out matters that are too deep.
28Like a city whose walls are broken through
is a person who lacks self-control.
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