Every Man's Bible - Proverbs - Flipbook - Page 37
page 863 | Proverbs 26
3
No one can comprehend the height of
heaven, the depth of the earth,
or all that goes on in the king’s mind!
4
Remove the impurities from silver,
and the sterling will be ready for the
silversmith.
Remove the wicked from the king’s court,
and his reign will be made secure by
justice.
5
6
7
8
9
10
Don’t demand an audience with the king
or push for a place among the great.
It’s better to wait for an invitation to the
head table
than to be sent away in public disgrace.
Just because you’ve seen something,
don’t be in a hurry to go to court.
For what will you do in the end
if your neighbor deals you a shameful
defeat?
When arguing with your neighbor,
don’t betray another person’s secret.
Others may accuse you of gossip,
and you will never regain your good
reputation.
19
Putting confidence in an unreliable
person in times of trouble
is like chewing with a broken tooth
or walking on a lame foot.
20
Singing cheerful songs to a person with
a heavy heart
is like taking someone’s coat in cold
weather
or pouring vinegar in a wound.*
If your enemies are hungry, give them
food to eat.
If they are thirsty, give them water
to drink.
22 You will heap burning coals of shame
on their heads,
and the LORD will reward you.
21
23
As surely as a north wind brings rain,
so a gossiping tongue causes anger!
24
It’s better to live alone in the corner of
an attic
than with a quarrelsome wife in a
lovely home.
25
Good news from far away
is like cold water to the thirsty.
26
If the godly give in to the wicked,
it’s like polluting a fountain or
muddying a spring.
11
Timely advice is lovely,
like golden apples in a silver basket.
12
To one who listens, valid criticism
is like a gold earring or other gold
jewelry.
27
Trustworthy messengers refresh like snow
in summer.
They revive the spirit of their employer.
It’s not good to eat too much honey,
and it’s not good to seek honors for
yourself.
28
A person without self-control
is like a city with broken-down walls.
13
14
15
A person who promises a gift but doesn’t
give it
is like clouds and wind that bring
no rain.
Patience can persuade a prince,
and soft speech can break bones.
16
Do you like honey?
Don’t eat too much, or it will make
you sick!
17
Don’t visit your neighbors too often,
or you will wear out your welcome.
18
Telling lies about others
is as harmful as hitting them with an ax,
wounding them with a sword,
or shooting them with a sharp arrow.
26
1
Honor is no more associated
with fools
than snow with summer or rain
with harvest.
2
Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting
swallow,
an undeserved curse will not land on its
intended victim.
3
Guide a horse with a whip, a donkey with
a bridle,
and a fool with a rod to his back!
4
Don’t answer the foolish arguments
of fools,
or you will become as foolish as
they are.
25:20 As in Greek version; Hebrew reads pouring vinegar on soda.
25:20 People who are troubled need empathy, not just carefree attempts to make their sadness go away.
By showing that we understand and care about their feelings, we comfort them and give them strength.
