61 lines
2.7 KiB
Markdown
61 lines
2.7 KiB
Markdown
# Chapter 25
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1 These are more proverbs of Solomon, collected by the advisers of King Hezekiah of Judah.
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2 It is God’s privilege to conceal things
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and the king’s privilege to discover them.
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3 No one can comprehend the height of heaven, the depth of the earth,
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or all that goes on in the king’s mind!
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4 Remove the impurities from silver,
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and the sterling will be ready for the silversmith.
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5 Remove the wicked from the king’s court,
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and his reign will be made secure by justice.
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6 Don’t demand an audience with the king
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or push for a place among the great.
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7 It’s better to wait for an invitation to the head table
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than to be sent away in public disgrace.
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Just because you’ve seen something,
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8 don’t be in a hurry to go to court.
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For what will you do in the end
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if your neighbor deals you a shameful defeat?
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9 When arguing with your neighbor,
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don’t betray another person’s secret.
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10 Others may accuse you of gossip,
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and you will never regain your good reputation.
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11 Timely advice is lovely,
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like golden apples in a silver basket.
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12 To one who listens, valid criticism
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is like a gold earring or other gold jewelry.
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13 Trustworthy messengers refresh like snow in summer.
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They revive the spirit of their employer.
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14 A person who promises a gift but doesn’t give it
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is like clouds and wind that bring no rain.
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15 Patience can persuade a prince,
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and soft speech can break bones.
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16 Do you like honey?
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Don’t eat too much, or it will make you sick!
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17 Don’t visit your neighbors too often,
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or you will wear out your welcome.
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18 Telling lies about others
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is as harmful as hitting them with an ax,
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wounding them with a sword,
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or shooting them with a sharp arrow.
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19 Putting confidence in an unreliable person in times of trouble
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is like chewing with a broken tooth or walking on a lame foot.
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20 Singing cheerful songs to a person with a heavy heart
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is like taking someone’s coat in cold weather
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or pouring vinegar in a wound.
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21 If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat.
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If they are thirsty, give them water to drink.
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22 You will heap burning coals of shame on their heads,
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and the Lord will reward you.
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23 As surely as a north wind brings rain,
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so a gossiping tongue causes anger!
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24 It’s better to live alone in the corner of an attic
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than with a quarrelsome wife in a lovely home.
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25 Good news from far away
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is like cold water to the thirsty.
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26 If the godly give in to the wicked,
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it’s like polluting a fountain or muddying a spring.
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27 It’s not good to eat too much honey,
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and it’s not good to seek honors for yourself.
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28 A person without self-control
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is like a city with broken-down walls. |