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More of Solomon's Wise Sayings

25 Here are some more
    of Solomon's proverbs.
They were copied by the officials
    of King Hezekiah of Judah.
God is praised
    for being mysterious;
rulers are praised
    for explaining mysteries.
Who can fully understand
    the thoughts of a ruler?
They reach beyond the sky
    and go deep in the earth.

Silver must be purified
before it can be used
    to make something of value.
Evil people must be removed
before anyone can rule
    with justice.

(A) Don't try to seem important
    in the court of a ruler.
It's better for the ruler
    to give you a high position
than for you to be embarrassed
    in front of royal officials.
Be sure you are right
    before you sue someone,
or you might lose your case
    and be embarrassed.

When you and someone else
can't get along,
    don't gossip about it.[a]
10 Others will find out,
and your reputation
    will then be ruined.

11 The right word
    at the right time
is like precious gold
    set in silver.
12 Listening to good advice
is worth much more
    than jewelry made of gold.
13 A messenger you can trust
is just as refreshing
    as cool water in summer.
14 Broken promises
are worse than rain clouds
    that don't bring rain.
15 Patience and gentle talk
can convince a ruler
    and overcome any problem.

16 Eating too much honey
    can make you sick.
17 Don't visit friends too often,
or they will get tired of it
    and start hating you.
18 Telling lies about friends
    is like attacking them
with clubs and swords
    and sharp arrows.
19 A friend you can't trust
    in times of trouble
is like having a toothache
    or a sore foot.
20 Singing to someone
    in deep sorrow
is like pouring vinegar
    in an open cut.[b]

21 (B) If your enemies are hungry,
    give them something to eat.
And if they are thirsty,
give them something
    to drink.
22 This will be the same
as piling burning coals
    on their heads.
And the Lord
    will reward you.
23 As surely as rain blows in
    from the north,
anger is caused
    by cruel words.
24 It's better to stay outside
    on the roof of your house
than to live inside
    with a nagging wife.

25 Good news from far away
refreshes like cold water
    when you are thirsty.
26 When a good person gives in
    to the wicked,
it's like dumping garbage
    in a stream of clear water.
27 Don't eat too much honey
    or always want praise.[c]
28 Losing self-control
leaves you as helpless
    as a city without a wall.

Footnotes

  1. 25.9 When … it: Or “Settle a problem privately between you and your neighbor and don't involve others.”
  2. 25.20 cut: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verse 20.
  3. 25.27 or … praise: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.

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