Hezekiah’s Collection
which the men of King Hezekiah25:1 2Kg 18–20 of Judah copied.
and the glory of kings to investigate a matter.
3As the heavens are high and the earth is deep,
so the hearts of kings cannot be investigated.
and material will be produced25:4 Lit will come out; Ex 32:24 for a silversmith.25:4 Or and a vessel will be produced by a silversmith25:4 2Tm 2:21
and his throne will be established in righteousness.25:5 Pr 16:12
6Don’t boast about yourself before the king,
and don’t stand in the place of the great;
7for it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here!”
than to demote you in plain view of a noble.25:7 Lit you before a noble whom your eyes see25:7 Lk 14:7–11
Otherwise, what will you do afterward
if your opponent25:8 Or neighbor, also in v. 9 humiliates you?
9Make your case with your opponent
10otherwise, the one who hears will disgrace you,
and you’ll never live it down.25:10 Lit and your evil report will not turn back
11A word spoken at the right time
is like a gold ring or an ornament of gold.
13To those who send him, a trustworthy envoy
is like the coolness of snow on a harvest day;
14The one who boasts about a gift that does not exist
is like clouds and wind without rain.25:14 Jd 12
15A ruler can be persuaded through patience,
otherwise, you’ll get sick from it and vomit.25:16 Pr 25:27
17Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house;
otherwise, he’ll get sick of you and hate you.
19Trusting an unreliable person in a difficult time
is like a rotten tooth or a faltering foot.25:19 2Kg 18:21
20Singing songs to a troubled heart
is like taking off clothing on a cold day
or like pouring vinegar on soda.25:20 Lit natron, or sodium carbonate25:20 Rm 12:15
21If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat,
and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,25:21 Ex 23:4–5; 2Kg 6:22; 2Ch 28:15; Mt 5:44; Rm 12:20
22for you will heap burning coals on his head,
and the Lord will reward you.25:22 Mt 6:4
23The north wind produces rain,
and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.
24Better to live on the corner of a roof
25Good news from a distant land
is like cold water to a parched throat.25:25 Or a weary person25:25 Pr 15:30
or to seek glory after glory.25:27 Lit seek their glory, glory25:27 Pr 27:2
is like a city whose wall is broken down.25:28 Neh 1:3
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