Proverbs 25

More of Solomon’s Wise Sayings

1 Here are more
of Solomon’s proverbs.
They were copied by the officials
of King Hezekiah of Judah.

2  God is praised
for being mysterious;
rulers are praised
for explaining mysteries.

3  Who can fully understand
the thoughts of a ruler?
They reach beyond the sky
and go deep in the earth.

4  Silver must be purified
before it can be used
to make something of value.

5  Evil people must be removed
before anyone can rule
with justice.

6  Don’t try to seem important
in the court of a ruler.

7  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

8  before you sue someone,
or you might lose your case
and be embarrassed.

9  When you and someone else
can’t get along,
don’t gossip about it.

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.

21  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.

28  Losing self-control
leaves you as helpless
as a city without a wall.

Proverbs 26

Don’t Be a Fool

1 Expecting snow in summer
and rain in the dry season
makes more sense
than honoring a fool.

2  A curse you don’t deserve
will take wings and fly away
like a sparrow or a swallow.

3  Horses and donkeys
must be beaten and bridled—
and so must fools.

4  Don’t make a fool of yourself
by answering a fool.

5  But if you answer any fools,
show how foolish they are,
so they won’t feel smart.

6  Sending a message by a fool
is like chopping off your foot
and drinking poison.

7  A fool with words of wisdom
is like an athlete
with legs that can’t move.

8  Are you going to honor a fool?
Why not shoot a slingshot
with the rock tied tight?

9  A thornbush waved around
in the hand of a drunkard
is no worse than a proverb
in the mouth of a fool.

10  It’s no smarter to shoot arrows
at every passerby
than it is to hire a bunch
of worthless nobodies.

11  Dogs return to eat their vomit,
just as fools repeat
their foolishness.

12  There is more hope for a fool
than for someone who says,
“I’m really smart!”

13  Don’t be lazy and keep saying,
“There’s a lion outside!”

14  A door turns on its hinges,
but a lazy person
just turns over in bed.

15  Some of us are so lazy
that we won’t lift a hand
to feed ourselves.

16  A lazy person says,
“I am smarter
than everyone else.”

17  It’s better to take hold
of a mad dog by the ears
than to take part
in someone else’s argument.

18  It’s no crazier to shoot
sharp and flaming arrows

19  than to cheat someone and say,
“I was only fooling!”

20  Where there is no fuel
a fire goes out;
where there is no gossip
arguments come to an end.

21  Troublemakers start trouble,
just as sparks and fuel
start a fire.

22  There is nothing so delicious
as the taste of gossip!
It melts in your mouth.

23  Hiding hateful thoughts
behind smooth talk
is like coating a clay pot
with a cheap glaze.

24  The pleasant talk
of an enemy
hides more evil plans

25  than can be counted—
so don’t believe a word!

26  Everyone will see through
those evil plans.

27  If you dig a pit,
you will fall in;
if you start a stone rolling,
it will roll back on you.

28  Watch out for anyone
who tells lies and flatters—
they are out to get you.

Proverbs 27

Don’t Brag About Tomorrow

1 Don’t brag about tomorrow! Each day brings
its own surprises.

2  Don’t brag about yourself—
let others praise you.

3  Stones and sand are heavy,
but trouble caused by a fool
is a much heavier load.

4  An angry person is dangerous,
but a jealous person
is even worse.

5  A truly good friend
will openly correct you.

6  You can trust a friend
who corrects you,
but kisses from an enemy
are nothing but lies.

7  If you have had enough to eat,
honey doesn’t taste good,
but if you are really hungry,
you will eat anything.

8  When you are far from home,
you feel like a bird
without a nest.

9  The sweet smell of incense
can make you feel good,
but true friendship
is better still.

10  Don’t desert an old friend
of your family
or visit your relatives
when you are in trouble.
A friend nearby is better
than relatives far away.

11  My child, show good sense!
Then I will be happy
and able to answer anyone
who criticizes me.

12  Be cautious and hide
when you see danger—
don’t be stupid and walk
right into trouble.

13  Don’t loan money to a stranger
unless you are given something
to guarantee payment.

14  A loud greeting
early in the morning
is the same as a curse.

15  The steady dripping of rain
and the nagging of a wife
are one and the same.

16  It’s easier to catch the wind
or hold olive oil in your hand
than to stop a nagging wife.

17  Just as iron sharpens iron,
friends sharpen the minds
of each other.

18  Take care of a tree,
and you will eat its fruit;
look after your master,
and you will be praised.

19  You see your face in a mirror
and your thoughts
in the minds of others.

20  Death and the grave
are never satisfied,
and neither are we.

21  Gold and silver are tested
in a red-hot furnace,
but we are tested by praise.

22  No matter how hard
you beat a fool,
you can’t pound out
the foolishness.

23  You should take good care
of your sheep and goats,

24  because wealth and honor
don’t last forever.

25  After the hay is cut
and the new growth appears
and the harvest is over,

26  you can sell lambs and goats
to buy clothes and land.

27  From the milk of the goats,
you can make enough cheese
to feed your family
and all your servants.