Comparisons and Moral Lessons

25¹ These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah , king of Judah , transcribed .

² It is the glory of God to conceal a matter , But the glory of kings is to search out a matter . ³ As the heavens for height and the earth for depth , So the heart of kings is unsearchable e .

⁴ Take away the dross from the silver , And there comes out a vessel for the smith ; ⁵ Take away the wicked before the king , And his throne will be established in righteousness .

⁶ Do not claim honor in the presence of the king , And do not stand in the place of great men ; ⁷ For it is better that it be said to you, "Come up here ," Than for you to be placed lower in the presence of the prince , Whom your eyes have seen .

⁸ Do not go out hastily to argue your case; Otherwise , what will you do in the end , When your neighbor humiliates you? ⁹ Argue your case with your neighbor , And do not reveal the secret of another , ¹⁰ Or he who hears it will reproach you, And the evil report about you will not pass away .

¹¹ Like apples of gold in settings of silver Is a word spoken in right circumstances . ¹² Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold Is a wise reprover to a listening ear .

¹³ Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest Is a faithful messenger to those who send him, For he refreshes the soul of his masters .

¹⁴ Like clouds and wind without rain Is a man who boasts of his gifts falsely .

¹⁵ By forbearance e a ruler may be persuaded , And a soft tongue breaks the bone .

¹⁶ Have you found honey ? Eat only what you need , That you not have it in excess and vomit it.

¹⁷ Let your foot rarely be in your neighbor's house , Or he will become weary of you and hate you.

¹⁸ Like a club and a sword and a sharp arrow Is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor .

¹⁹ Like a bad tooth and an unsteady foot Is confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble .

²⁰ Like one who takes off a garment on a cold day , or like vinegar on soda , Is he who sings songs to a troubled heart .

²¹ If your enemy is hungry , give him food to eat ; And if he is thirsty , give him water to drink ; ²² For you will heap burning coals on his head , And the Lord will reward you.

²³ The north wind brings forth rain , And a backbiting tongue , an angry countenance .

²⁴ It is better to live in a corner of the roof Than in a house shared with a contentious woman .

²⁵ Like cold water to a weary soul , So is good news from a distant land .

²⁶ Like a trampled spring and a polluted well Is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked .

²⁷ It is not good to eat much honey , Nor is it glory to search out one's own glory .

²⁸ Like a city that is broken into and without walls Is a man who has no control over his spirit .

26¹ Like snow in summer and like rain in harvest , So honor is not fitting for a fool .

² Like a sparrow in its flitting , like a swallow in its flying , So a curse without cause does not alight .

³ A whip is for the horse , a bridle for the donkey , And a rod for the back of fools .

⁴ Do not answer a fool according to his folly , Or you will also be like him. ⁵ Answer a fool as his folly deserves, That he not be wise in his own eyes .

⁶ He cuts off his own feet and drinks violence Who sends a message by the hand of a fool . ⁷ Like the legs which are useless to the lame , So is a proverb in the mouth of fools . ⁸ Like one who binds a stone in a sling , So is he who gives honor to a fool . ⁹ Like a thorn which falls into the hand of a drunkard , So is a proverb in the mouth of fools .

¹⁰ Like an archer who wounds everyone , So is he who hires a fool or who hires those who pass by.

¹¹ Like a dog that returns to its vomit Is a fool who repeats his folly .

¹² Do you see a man wise in his own eyes ? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

¹³ The sluggard says , "There is a lion in the road ! A lion is in the open square !"

¹⁴ As the door turns on its hinges , So does the sluggard on his bed .

¹⁵ The sluggard buries his hand in the dish ; He is weary of bringing it to his mouth again .

¹⁶ The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes Than seven men who can give a discreet answer .

¹⁷ Like one who takes a dog by the ears Is he who passes by and meddles with strife not belonging to him.

¹⁸ Like a madman who throws Firebrands , arrows and death , ¹⁹ So is the man who deceives his neighbor , And says , " Was I not joking ?"

²⁰ For lack of wood the fire goes out, And where there is no whisperer , contention quiets down . ²¹ Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire , So is a contentious man to kindle strife . ²² The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels , And they go down into the innermost parts of the body .

²³ Like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross Are burning lips and a wicked heart .

²⁴ He who hates disguises it with his lips , But he lays up deceit in his heart . ²⁵ When he speaks graciously , do not believe him, For there are seven abominations in his heart . ²⁶ Though his hatred covers itself with guile , His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly .

²⁷ He who digs a pit will fall into it, And he who rolls a stone , it will come back on him.

²⁸ A lying tongue hates those it crushes , And a flattering mouth works ruin .

9¹ For it is superfluous for me to write to you about this ministry to the saints ; ² for I know your readiness , of which I boast about you to the Macedonians , namely, that Achaia has been prepared since last year , and your zeal has stirred up most of them. ³ But I have sent the brethren , in order that our boasting about you may not be made empty in this case , so that, as I was saying , you may be prepared ; ⁴ otherwise if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared , we-not to speak of you-will be put to shame by this confidence . ⁵ So I thought it necessary to urge the brethren that they would go on ahead to you and arrange beforehand your previously promised bountiful gift , so that the same would be ready as a bountiful gift and not affected by covetousness .

⁶ Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly , and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully . ⁷ Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart , not grudgingly e or under compulsion , for God loves a cheerful giver . ⁸ And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything , you may have an abundance for every good deed ; ⁹ as it is written , " HE SCATTERED ABROAD, HE GAVE TO THE POOR , HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS ENDURES FOREVER ." ¹⁰ Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness ; ¹¹ you will be enriched in everything for all liberality , which through us is producing thanksgiving to God . ¹² For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints , but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God . ¹³ Because of the proof given by this ministry , they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all , ¹⁴ while they also , by prayer on your behalf , yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you. ¹⁵ Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift !