Comparisons and Moral Lessons

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

2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing,
but the glory of kings is to search out a matter. 3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth,
so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.

4 Take away the dross from the silver,
and material comes out for the refiner; 5 Take away the wicked from the king’s presence,
and his throne will be established in righteousness.

6 Don’t exalt yourself in the presence of the king,
or claim a place among great men; 7 for it is better that it be said to you, “Come up here,”
than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince,
whom your eyes have seen.

8 Don’t be hasty in bringing charges to court.
What will you do in the end when your neighbor shames you? 9 Debate your case with your neighbor,
and don’t betray the confidence of another; 10 lest one who hears it put you to shame,
and your bad reputation never depart.

11 A word fitly spoken
is like apples of gold in settings of silver. 12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold,
so is a wise reprover to an obedient ear.

13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest,
so is a faithful messenger to those who send him;
for he refreshes the soul of his masters.

14 As clouds and wind without rain,
so is he who boasts of gifts deceptively.

15 By patience a ruler is persuaded.
A soft tongue breaks the bone.

16 Have you found honey?
Eat as much as is sufficient for you,
lest you eat too much, and vomit it.

17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house,
lest he be weary of you, and hate you.

18 A man who gives false testimony against his neighbor
is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.

19 Confidence in someone unfaithful in time of trouble
is like a bad tooth, or a lame foot.

20 As one who takes away a garment in cold weather,
or vinegar on soda,
so 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 for you will heap coals of fire on his head,
and Yahweh will reward you.

23 The north wind brings forth rain:
so a backbiting tongue brings an angry face.

24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop,
than to share a house with a contentious woman.

25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul,
so is good news from a far country.

26 Like a muddied spring, and a polluted well,
so is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.

27 It is not good to eat much honey;
nor is it honorable to seek one’s own honor.

28 Like a city that is broken down and without walls
is a man whose spirit is without restraint.

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

2 Like a fluttering sparrow,
like a darting swallow,
so the undeserved curse doesn’t come to rest.

3 A whip is for the horse,
a bridle for the donkey,
and a rod for the back of fools!

4 Don’t answer a fool according to his folly,
lest you also be like him. 5 Answer a fool according to his folly,
lest he be wise in his own eyes.

6 One who sends a message by the hand of a fool
is cutting off feet and drinking violence. 7 Like the legs of the lame that hang loose:
so is a parable in the mouth of fools. 8 As one who binds a stone in a sling,
so is he who gives honor to a fool. 9 Like a thornbush that goes into the hand of a drunkard,
so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

10 As an archer who wounds all,
so is he who hires a fool
or he who hires those who pass by.

11 As a dog that returns to his vomit,
so 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 fierce lion roams the streets!”

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 too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.

16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes
than seven men who answer with discretion.

17 Like one who grabs a dog’s ears
is one who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own.

18 Like a madman who shoots torches, arrows, and death, 19 is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “Am I not joking?”

20 For lack of wood a fire goes out.
Without gossip, a quarrel dies down. 21 As coals are to hot embers,
and wood to fire,
so is a contentious man to kindling strife. 22 The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels,
they go down into the innermost parts.

23 Like silver dross on an earthen vessel
are the lips of a fervent one with an evil heart.

24 A malicious man disguises himself with his lips,
but he harbors evil in his heart. 25 When his speech is charming, don’t believe him;
for there are seven abominations in his heart. 26 His malice may be concealed by deception,
but his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.

27 Whoever digs a pit shall fall into it.
Whoever rolls a stone, it will come back on him.

28 A lying tongue hates those it hurts;
and a flattering mouth works ruin.