Proverbs of Solomon Collected by Hezekiah
25:1 These also are proverbs of Solomon,
which the men of King Hezekiah of Judah copied:1
25:2 It is the glory of God2 to conceal3 a matter,
and it is the glory of a king to search out a matter.
25:3 As the heaven is high4 and the earth is deep
so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.5
25:4 Remove the dross from the silver,
and material6 for the silversmith will emerge;
25:5 remove the wicked from before the king,7
and his throne8 will be established in righteousness.9
25:6 Do not honor yourself before the king,
and do not stand in the place of great men;
25:7 for it is better for him10 to say to you, “Come up here,”11
than to put you lower12 before a prince,
whom your eyes have seen.13
25:8 Do not go out hastily to litigation,14
or15 what will you do afterward
when your neighbor puts you to shame?
25:9 When you argue a case16 with your neighbor,
do not reveal the secret of another person,17
25:10 lest the one who hears it put you to shame
and your infamy18 will never go away.
25:11 Like apples of gold in settings of silver,19
so is a word skillfully spoken.20
25:12 Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold,21
so is a wise reprover to the ear of the one who listens.22
25:13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest,23
so is a faithful messenger to those who send him,
for he refreshes the heart24 of his masters.
25:14 Like cloudy skies and wind that produce no rain,25
so is the one who boasts26 of a gift not given.27
25:15 Through patience28 a ruler can be persuaded,29
and a soft tongue30 can break a bone.31
25:16 When you find32 honey, eat only what is sufficient for you,
lest you become stuffed33 with it and vomit it up.34
25:17 Don’t set foot too frequently35 in your neighbor’s house,
lest he become weary36 of you and hate you.
25:18 Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow,37
so is the one who testifies against38 his neighbor as a false witness.39
25:19 Like a bad tooth or a foot out of joint,40
so is confidence41 in an unfaithful person at the time of trouble.42
25:20 Like one who takes off a garment on a cold day,43
or like vinegar poured on soda,44
so is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.45
25:21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat,
and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,
25:22 for you will heap coals of fire on his head,46
and the Lord will reward you.47
25:23 The north wind48 brings forth rain,
and a gossiping tongue49 brings forth50 an angry look.51
25:24 It is better to live on a corner of the housetop
than in a house in company with a quarrelsome wife.52
25:25 Like cold water to a weary person,53
so is good news from a distant land.54
25:26 Like a muddied55 spring and a polluted56 well,
so is a righteous person who gives way57 before the wicked.
25:27 It is not good58 to eat too much honey,
nor is it honorable for people to seek their own glory.59
25:28 Like a city that is broken down and without a wall,
so is a person who cannot control his temper.60
26:1 Like snow in summer or rain in harvest,
so honor1 is not fitting for a fool.2
26:2 Like a fluttering bird or like a flying swallow,
so a curse without cause3 does not come to rest.4
26:3 A whip for the horse and a bridle for the donkey,
and a rod for the backs of fools!5
26:4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly,6
lest you yourself also be like him.7
26:5 Answer a fool according to his folly,8
lest he be wise in his own estimation.9
26:6 Like cutting off the feet or drinking violence,10
so is sending11 a message by the hand of a fool.12
26:7 Like legs that hang limp13 from the lame,
so14 is a proverb15 in the mouth of fools.
26:8 Like tying a stone in a sling,16
so is giving honor to a fool.
26:9 Like a thorn17 that goes into the hand of a drunkard,
so is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.18
26:10 Like an archer who wounds at random,19
so is the one who hires20 a fool or hires any passer-by.
26:11 Like a dog that returns to its vomit,21
so a fool repeats his folly.22
26:12 Do you see23 a man wise in his own eyes?24
There is more hope for a fool25 than for him.
26:13 The sluggard26 says, “There is a lion in the road!
A lion in the streets!”27
26:14 Like28 a door that turns on its hinges,29
so a sluggard turns30 on his bed.
26:15 The sluggard plunges31 his hand in the dish;
he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.32
26:16 The sluggard is wiser in his own estimation33
than seven people who respond with good sense.34
26:17 Like one who grabs a wild dog by the ears,35
so is the person passing by who becomes furious36 over a quarrel not his own.
26:18 Like a madman37 who shoots
firebrands and deadly arrows,38
26:19 so is a person39 who deceives his neighbor,
and says, “Was I not only joking?”40
26:20 Where there is no wood, a fire goes out,
and where there is no gossip,41 contention ceases.42
26:21 Like charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire,
so is a contentious person43 to kindle strife.44
26:22 The words of a gossip are like delicious morsels;
they go down into a person’s innermost being.45
26:23 Like a coating of glaze46 over earthenware
are fervent47 lips with an evil heart.48
26:24 The one who hates others disguises49 it with his lips,
but he stores up50 deceit within him.51
26:25 When52 he speaks graciously,53 do not believe him,54
for there are seven55 abominations56 within him.
26:26 Though his57 hatred may be concealed58 by deceit,
his evil will be uncovered59 in the assembly.
26:27 The one who digs a pit60 will fall into it;
the one who rolls a stone—it will come back on him.
26:28 A lying tongue61 hates those crushed by it,
and a flattering mouth works ruin.62
27:1 Do not boast1 about tomorrow;2
for you do not know3 what a day may bring forth.
27:2 Let another4 praise you, and not your own mouth;5
someone else,6 and not your own lips.
27:3 A stone is heavy and sand is weighty,
but vexation7 by a fool is more burdensome8 than the two of them.
27:4 Wrath is cruel and anger is overwhelming,9
but who can stand before jealousy?10
27:5 Better is open11 rebuke
than hidden12 love.
27:6 Faithful13 are the wounds of a friend,
but the kisses14 of an enemy are excessive.15
27:7 The one whose appetite16 is satisfied loathes honey,
but to the hungry mouth17 every bitter thing is sweet.
27:8 Like a bird that wanders18 from its nest,
so is a person who wanders from his home.19
27:9 Ointment and incense make the heart rejoice,20
likewise the sweetness of one’s friend from sincere counsel.21
27:10 Do not forsake your friend and your father’s friend,
and do not enter your brother’s house in the day of your disaster;
a neighbor nearby is better than a brother far away.22
27:11 Be wise, my son,23 and make my heart glad,
so that I may answer24 anyone who taunts me.25
27:12 A shrewd person sees danger and hides himself,
but the naive keep right on going26 and suffer for it.
27:13 Take a man’s27 garment when he has given security for a stranger,
and when he gives surety for a stranger,28 hold him in pledge.29
27:14 If someone blesses30 his neighbor with a loud voice early in the morning,31
it will be counted as a curse to him.32
27:15 A continual dripping on a rainy day
and a contentious wife33 are alike.34
27:16 Whoever hides her hides the wind35
or grasps36 oil with his right hand.37
27:17 As38 iron sharpens39 iron,
so a person40 sharpens his friend.41
27:18 The one who tends a fig tree42 will eat its fruit,43
and whoever takes care of44 his master will be honored.
27:19 As in water the face is reflected as a face,45
so a person’s heart46 reflects the person.
27:20 As47 Death and Destruction are never satisfied,48
so the eyes of a person49 are never satisfied.50
27:21 As the crucible is for silver and the furnace is for gold,51
so a person52 is proved53 by the praise he receives.54
27:22 If you should pound55 the fool in the mortar
among the grain56 with the pestle,
his foolishness would not depart from him.57
27:23 Pay careful attention to58 the condition of your flocks,59
give careful attention60 to your herds,
27:24 for riches do not last61 forever,
nor does a crown last62 from generation to generation.
27:25 When the hay is removed and new grass appears,
and the grass from the hills is gathered in,
27:26 the lambs will be for your clothing,
and the goats will be for the price of a field.63
27:27 And there will be enough goat’s milk for your food,64
for the food of your household,
and for the sustenance65 of your servant girls.
28:1 The wicked person flees when there is no one pursuing,1
but the righteous person is as confident2 as a lion.
28:2 When a country is rebellious3 it has many princes,4
but by someone who is discerning and knowledgeable5 order is maintained.6
28:3 A poor person7 who oppresses the weak
is like8 a driving rain without food.9
28:4 Those who forsake the law10 praise the wicked,11
but those who keep the law contend12 with them.
28:5 Evil people13 do not understand justice,14
but those who seek the Lord15 understand it all.
28:6 A poor person16 who walks in his integrity is better
than one who is perverse in his ways17 even though18 he is rich.19
28:7 The one who keeps the law20 is a discerning child,21
but a companion of gluttons brings shame22 to his parents.23
28:8 The one who increases his wealth by increasing interest24
gathers it for someone who is gracious25 to the needy.
28:9 The one who turns away his ear26 from hearing the law,
even his prayer27 is an abomination.28
28:10 The one who leads the upright astray in an evil way
will himself fall into his own pit,29
but the blameless will inherit what is good.30
28:11 A rich person31 is wise in his own eyes,32
but a discerning poor person can evaluate him properly.33
28:12 When the righteous rejoice,34 great is the glory,35
but when the wicked rise to power, people are sought out.36
28:13 The one who covers37 his transgressions will not prosper,38
but whoever confesses them and forsakes them will find mercy.39
28:14 Blessed is the one who is always cautious,40
but whoever hardens his heart41 will fall into evil.
28:15 Like42 a roaring lion or a roving bear,43
so is a wicked ruler over a poor people.44
28:16 The prince who is a great oppressor lacks wisdom,45
but the one who hates46 unjust gain will prolong his days.
28:17 The one who is tormented47 by the murder48 of another will flee to the pit;49
let no one support him.
28:18 The one who walks blamelessly will be delivered,50
but whoever is perverse in his ways will fall51 at once.52
28:19 The one who works his land will be satisfied with food,53
but whoever chases daydreams54 will have his fill55 of poverty.
28:20 A faithful person56 will have an abundance of blessings,
but the one who hastens57 to gain riches will not go unpunished.
28:21 To show partiality58 is terrible,59
for a person will transgress over the smallest piece of bread.60
28:22 The stingy person61 hastens after riches
and does not know that poverty will overtake him.62
28:23 The one who reproves63 another64 will in the end65 find more favor
than the one who flatters66 with the tongue.
28:24 The one who robs67 his father and mother and says, “There is no transgression,”
is a companion68 to the one69 who destroys.
28:25 The greedy person70 stirs up dissension,71
but the one who trusts72 in the Lord will prosper.73
28:26 The one who trusts in his own heart74 is a fool,
but the one who walks in wisdom75 will escape.76
28:27 The one who gives to the poor will not lack,77
but whoever shuts his eyes to them78 will receive79 many curses.80
28:28 When the wicked gain control,81 people82 hide themselves,83
but when they perish,84 the righteous increase.
29:1 The one who stiffens his neck1 after numerous rebukes2
will suddenly be destroyed3 without remedy.4
29:2 When the righteous become numerous,5 the people rejoice;
when the wicked rule, the people groan.6
29:3 The man7 who loves wisdom brings joy to his father,8
but whoever associates9 with prostitutes wastes10 his wealth.11
29:4 A king brings stability12 to a land13 by justice,
but one who exacts tribute14 tears it down.
29:5 The one15 who flatters16 his neighbor
spreads a net17 for his steps.18
29:6 In the transgression of an evil person there is a snare,19
but a righteous person can sing20 and rejoice.21
29:7 The righteous person cares for22 the legal rights23 of the poor;
the wicked does not understand such24 knowledge.
29:8 Scornful people25 inflame26 a city,27
but those who are wise turn away wrath.
29:9 If a wise person28 goes to court29 with a foolish person,
there is no peace30 whether he is angry or laughs.31
29:10 Bloodthirsty people32 hate someone with integrity;33
as for the upright, they seek his life.34
29:11 A fool lets fly with all his temper,35
but a wise person keeps it back.36
29:12 If a ruler listens to37 lies,38
all his ministers39 will be wicked.40
29:13 The poor person and the oppressor41 have this in common:42
the Lord gives light43 to the eyes of them both.
29:14 If a king judges the poor in truth,44
his throne45 will be established forever.
29:15 A rod and reproof46 impart47 wisdom,
but a child who is unrestrained48 brings shame49 to his mother.50
29:16 When the wicked increase,51 transgression increases,
but the righteous will see52 their downfall.
29:17 Discipline your child, and he will give you rest;53
he will bring you54 happiness.55
29:18 When there is no prophetic vision56 the people cast off restraint,57
but the one who keeps the law,58 blessed is he!59
29:19 A servant60 cannot be corrected61 by words,
for although62 he understands, there is no answer.63
29:20 Do you see someone64 who is hasty in his words?65
There is more hope for a fool than for him.66
29:21 If67 someone pampers his servant from youth,
he will be a weakling68 in the end.
29:22 An angry person69 stirs up dissension,
and a wrathful person70 is abounding in transgression.71
29:23 A person’s pride72 will bring him low,73
but one who has a lowly spirit74 will gain honor.
29:24 Whoever shares with a thief75 is his own enemy;76
he hears the oath to testify,77 but does not talk.
29:25 The fear of people78 becomes79 a snare,80
but whoever trusts in the Lord will be set on high.81
29:26 Many people seek the face82 of a ruler,
but it is from the Lord that one receives justice.83
29:27 An unjust person is an abomination to the righteous,
and the one who lives an upright life is an abomination to the wicked.84
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