Proverbs 25:1-28.
Proverbs 25:1-28 (Good News Translation)
1Here are more of Solomon's proverbs, copied by scribes at the court of
King Hezekiah of Judah. 2We honor God for what he conceals; we honor kings
for what they explain. 3You never know what a king is thinking; his
thoughts are beyond us, like the heights of the sky or the depths of the
ocean. 4Take the impurities out of silver and the artist can produce a
thing of beauty. 5Keep evil advisers away from the king and his government
will be known for its justice. 6When you stand before the king, don't try
to impress him and pretend to be important. 7It is better to be asked to
take a higher position than to be told to give your place to someone more
important. 8Don't be too quick to go to court about something you have
seen. If another witness later proves you wrong, what will you do then?
9If you and your neighbor have a difference of opinion, settle it between
yourselves and do not reveal any secrets. 10Otherwise everyone will learn
that you can't keep a secret, and you will never live down the shame. 11An
idea well-expressed is like a design of gold, set in silver. 12A warning
given by an experienced person to someone willing to listen is more
valuable than gold rings or jewelry made of the finest gold. 13A reliable
messenger is refreshing to the one who sends him, like cold water in the
heat of harvest time. 14People who promise things that they never give are
like clouds and wind that bring no rain. 15Patient persuasion can break
down the strongest resistance and can even convince rulers. 16Never eat
more honey than you need; too much may make you vomit. 17Don't visit your
neighbors too often; they may get tired of you and come to hate you. 18A
false accusation is as deadly as a sword, a club, or a sharp arrow.
19Depending on an unreliable person in a crisis is like trying to chew
with a loose tooth or walk with a crippled foot. 20Singing to a person who
is depressed is like taking off a person's clothes on a cold day or like
rubbing salt in a wound. 21If your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they
are thirsty, give them a drink. 22You will make them burn with shame, and
the Lord will reward you. 23Gossip brings anger just as surely as the
north wind brings rain. 24Better to live on the roof than share the house
with a nagging wife. 25Finally hearing good news from a distant land is
like a drink of cold water when you are dry and thirsty. 26A good person
who gives in to someone who is evil reminds you of a polluted spring or a
poisoned well. 27Too much honey is bad for you, and so is trying to win
too much praise. 28If you cannot control your anger, you are as helpless
as a city without walls, open to attack.
God bless you.
1Here are more of Solomon's proverbs, copied by scribes at the court of
King Hezekiah of Judah. 2We honor God for what he conceals; we honor kings
for what they explain. 3You never know what a king is thinking; his
thoughts are beyond us, like the heights of the sky or the depths of the
ocean. 4Take the impurities out of silver and the artist can produce a
thing of beauty. 5Keep evil advisers away from the king and his government
will be known for its justice. 6When you stand before the king, don't try
to impress him and pretend to be important. 7It is better to be asked to
take a higher position than to be told to give your place to someone more
important. 8Don't be too quick to go to court about something you have
seen. If another witness later proves you wrong, what will you do then?
9If you and your neighbor have a difference of opinion, settle it between
yourselves and do not reveal any secrets. 10Otherwise everyone will learn
that you can't keep a secret, and you will never live down the shame. 11An
idea well-expressed is like a design of gold, set in silver. 12A warning
given by an experienced person to someone willing to listen is more
valuable than gold rings or jewelry made of the finest gold. 13A reliable
messenger is refreshing to the one who sends him, like cold water in the
heat of harvest time. 14People who promise things that they never give are
like clouds and wind that bring no rain. 15Patient persuasion can break
down the strongest resistance and can even convince rulers. 16Never eat
more honey than you need; too much may make you vomit. 17Don't visit your
neighbors too often; they may get tired of you and come to hate you. 18A
false accusation is as deadly as a sword, a club, or a sharp arrow.
19Depending on an unreliable person in a crisis is like trying to chew
with a loose tooth or walk with a crippled foot. 20Singing to a person who
is depressed is like taking off a person's clothes on a cold day or like
rubbing salt in a wound. 21If your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they
are thirsty, give them a drink. 22You will make them burn with shame, and
the Lord will reward you. 23Gossip brings anger just as surely as the
north wind brings rain. 24Better to live on the roof than share the house
with a nagging wife. 25Finally hearing good news from a distant land is
like a drink of cold water when you are dry and thirsty. 26A good person
who gives in to someone who is evil reminds you of a polluted spring or a
poisoned well. 27Too much honey is bad for you, and so is trying to win
too much praise. 28If you cannot control your anger, you are as helpless
as a city without walls, open to attack.
God bless you.
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