Sermon Central
Proverbs 25-26
More Proverbs of Solomon 1These are more proverbs of Solomon, compiled by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:
2It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings.
3As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
4Remove the dross from the silver, and a silversmith can produce a vessel;
5remove wicked officials from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established through righteousness.
6Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence, and do not claim a place among his great men;
7it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,” than for him to humiliate you before his nobles. What you have seen with your eyes
8do not bring
9If you take your neighbor to court, do not betray another’s confidence,
10or the one who hears it may shame you and the charge against you will stand.
11Like apples
12Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is the rebuke of a wise judge to a listening ear.
13Like a snow-cooled drink at harvest time is a trustworthy messenger to the one who sends him; he refreshes the spirit of his master.
14Like clouds and wind without rain is one who boasts of gifts never given.
15Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
16If you find honey, eat just enough— too much of it, and you will vomit.
17Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house— too much of you, and they will hate you.
18Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow is one who gives false testimony against a neighbor.
19Like a broken tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in a time of trouble.
20Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar poured on a wound, is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
21If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
22In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.
23Like a north wind that brings unexpected rain is a sly tongue—which provokes a horrified look.
24Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
25Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land.
26Like a muddied spring or a polluted well are the righteous who give way to the wicked.
27It is not good to eat too much honey, nor is it honorable to search out matters that are too deep. 28Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.
1Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, honor is not fitting for a fool.
2Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest.
3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools!
4Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him.
5Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.
6Sending a message by the hands of a fool is like cutting off one’s feet or drinking poison.
7Like the useless legs of one who is lame is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
8Like tying a stone in a sling is the giving of honor to a fool.
9Like a thornbush in a drunkard’s hand is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
10Like an archer who wounds at random is one who hires a fool or any passer-by.
11As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly.
12Do you see a person wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them.
13A sluggard says, “There’s a lion in the road, a fierce lion roaming the streets!”
14As a door turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed.
15A sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.
16A sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven people who answer discreetly.
17Like one who grabs a stray dog by the ears is someone who rushes into a quarrel not their own.
18Like a maniac shooting flaming arrows of death
19is one who deceives their neighbor and says, “I was only joking!”
20Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down.
21As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.
22The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.
23Like a coating of silver dross on earthenware are fervent
24Enemies disguise themselves with their lips, but in their hearts they harbor deceit.
25Though their speech is charming, do not believe them, for seven abominations fill their hearts.
26Their malice may be concealed by deception, but their wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
27Whoever digs a pit will fall into it; if someone rolls a stone, it will roll back on them. 28A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin.