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Similitudes, Instructions

¹ These are also the ^(C1)proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied: ^(VR1)

² It is the glory of God to ^(C1)conceal a matter,
But the glory of ^(C2)kings is to search out a matter. ^(VR1)

³ As the heavens for height and the earth for depth,
So the hearts and minds of kings are ^(F1)unsearchable.

⁴ Take away the ^(C1)dross from the silver,
And there comes out the pure metal for a vessel for the ^(C2)silversmith to shape. ^(VR1)

⁵ Take away the ^(C1)wicked from before the king,
And his ^(C2)throne will be established in righteousness.

⁶ Do not be boastfully ambitious and claim honor in the presence of the king,
And do not stand in the place of great men;

⁷ For it is ^(C1)better that it be said to you, "Come up here,"
Than for you to be placed lower in the presence of the prince,
Whom your eyes have seen. ^(VR1)

⁸ Do not ^(C1)rush out to argue your case before magistrates or judges;
Otherwise what will you do in the end when your case is lost and
When your neighbor (opponent) humiliates you? ^(VR1)

^9 (C1)Argue your case with your neighbor himself before you go to court;
And do not ^(C2)reveal another's secret, ^(VR1)

¹⁰ Or he who hears it will shame you
And the rumor about you and your action in court will have no end.

¹¹ Like apples of gold in settings of silver
Is a ^(C1)word spoken at the right time. ^(VR1)

¹² Like an ^(C1)earring of gold and an ^(C2)ornament of ^(C3)fine gold
Is a wise reprover to an ear that ^(C4)listens and learns.

¹³ Like the cold of snow brought from the mountains in the time of harvest,
So is a ^(C1)faithful messenger to those who send him;
For he refreshes the life of his masters.

¹⁴ Like ^(C1)clouds and ^(C2)wind without rain
Is a man who boasts falsely of gifts he does not give. ^(VR1)

¹⁵ By ^(C1)patience and a calm spirit a ruler may be persuaded,
And a soft and gentle tongue breaks the bone of resistance. ^(VR1)

¹⁶ Have you ^(C1)found pleasure sweet like honey? Eat only as much as you need,
Otherwise, being filled excessively, you vomit it.

¹⁷ Let your foot seldom be in your neighbor's house,
Or he will become tired of you and hate you.

¹⁸ Like a club and a ^(C1)sword and a piercing ^(C2)arrow
Is a man who testifies ^(C3)falsely against his neighbor (acquaintance).

¹⁹ Like a broken tooth or an unsteady foot
Is confidence in an ^(C1)unfaithful man in time of trouble.

²⁰ Like one who takes off a garment in cold weather, or like a reactive, useless mixture of vinegar on soda,
Is he who thoughtlessly sings joyful songs to a heavy heart. ^(VR1)

^21 (C1)If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat;
And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; ^(VR1)

²² For in doing so, you will ^(F1)heap coals of fire upon his head,
And ^(C1)the LORD will reward you.

²³ The north wind brings forth rain;
And a ^(C1)backbiting tongue, an angry countenance.

²⁴ It is ^(C1)better to live in a corner of the housetop on the flat roof, exposed to the weather
Than in a house shared with a quarrelsome (contentious) woman. ^(VR1)

²⁵ Like cold water to a thirsty soul,
So is ^(C1)good news from a distant land.

²⁶ Like a ^(C1)muddied fountain and a polluted spring
Is a righteous man who yields and compromises his integrity before the wicked.

²⁷ It is not good to eat much honey,
Nor is it glorious to ^(C1)seek one's own glory.

²⁸ Like a ^(C1)city that is broken down and without walls leaving it unprotected
Is a man ^(C2)who has no self-control over his spirit and sets himself up for trouble. ^(VR1)