HelpFinder Bible - Flipbook - Page 950
P RO VERBS 2 5
33
34
A little extra sleep, a little more slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest—
then poverty will pounce on you like
a bandit;
scarcity will attack you like an armed
robber.
More Proverbs of Solomon
These are more proverbs of Solomon,
collected by the advisers of King Hezekiah of Judah.
page 580
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.
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.*
21
If your enemies are hungry, give them
food to eat.
If they are thirsty, give them water to
drink.
You will heap burning coals of shame on
their heads,
and the Lord will reward you.
25
2
It is God’s privilege to conceal things
and the king’s privilege to discover them.
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
5
6
7
8
9
10
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.
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.
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.
13
Trustworthy messengers refresh like snow
in summer.
They revive the spirit of their employer.
14
A person who promises a gift but doesn’t
give it
is like clouds and wind that bring no rain.
15
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.
22
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.
27
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.
26
Honor is no more associated
with fools
than snow with summer or rain with
harvest.
1
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.