Aa
Hezekiah’s Collection
1These too are proverbs of Solomon, Pr 1:1
which the men of Hezekiah, 2Kg 18–20 king of Judah, copied.
2It is the glory of God to conceal a matter Dt 29:29; Rm 11:33
and the glory of kings to investigate a matter.
3As the heaven is high and the earth is deep,
so the hearts of kings cannot be investigated.
4Remove impurities from silver, Ezk 22:18; Mal 3:2-3
and a vessel will be produced Lit will come out ; Ex 32:24 for a silversmith. 2Tm 2:21
5Remove the wicked from the king’s presence, Pr 20:8,26
and his throne will be established in righteousness. Pr 16:12
6Don’t brag 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. Lit you before a noble whom your eyes see Lk 14:7-11
8Don’t take a matter to court hastily. Pr 17:14; Mt 5:25; 1Co 6:7
Otherwise, what will you do afterward
if your opponent Or neighbor humiliates you?
9Make your case with your opponent Or neighbor
without revealing another’s secret; Pr 17:9; Mt 18:15
10otherwise, the one who hears will disgrace you,
and you’ll never live it down. Lit and your evil report will not turn back
11A word spoken at the right time
is like gold apples on a silver tray. Or like apples of gold in settings of silver Pr 8:10; 15:23; 16:16
12A wise correction to a receptive ear Pr 15:31
is like a gold ring or an ornament of gold.
13To those who send him, a trustworthy messenger
is like the coolness of snow on a harvest day;
he refreshes the life of his masters. Pr 13:17; 16:24; 25:25
14The man who boasts about a gift that does not exist
is like clouds and wind without rain. Jd 12
15A ruler can be persuaded through patience,
and a gentle tongue can break a bone. Pr 15:1; 16:14,32; Ec 10:4
16If you find honey, Jdg 14:8; 1Sm 14:25 eat only what you need;
otherwise, you’ll get sick from it and vomit. Pr 25:27
17Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house;
otherwise, he’ll get sick of you and hate you.
18A man giving false testimony against his neighbor Ex 20:16; Pr 24:28
is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow. Ps 57:4; Pr 12:18
19Trusting an unreliable person in a difficult time
is like a rotten tooth or a faltering foot. 2Kg 18:21
20Singing songs to a troubled heart
is like taking off clothing on a cold day
or like pouring vinegar on soda. Lit natron, or sodium carbonate Rm 12:15
21If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat,
and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; 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. Mt 6:4
23The north wind produces rain,
and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.
24Better to live on the corner of a roof
than to share a house with a nagging wife. Pr 15:17; 17:1; 21:9,19
25Good news from a distant land
is like cold water to a parched throat. Or a weary person Pr 15:30
26A righteous person who yields to the wicked Dt 13:6-8; Gl 2:4-5
is like a muddied spring or a polluted well. Ezk 32:2; 34:18-19
27It is not good to eat too much honey Pr 25:16
or to seek glory after glory. Lit seek their glory, glory Pr 27:2
28A man who does not control his temper Pr 16:32; 29:11
is like a city whose wall is broken down. Neh 1:3