Old/New Testament
VI. Second Solomonic Collection, Collected Under King Hezekiah[a]
Chapter 25
1 These also are proverbs of Solomon.(A) The servants of Hezekiah,[b] king of Judah, transmitted them.
2 [c]It is the glory of God to conceal a matter,
and the glory of kings to fathom a matter.[d]
3 Like the heavens in height, and the earth in depth,
the heart of kings is unfathomable.
4 [e]Remove the dross from silver,
and it comes forth perfectly purified;
5 Remove the wicked from the presence of the king,
and his throne is made firm through justice.
6 [f]Claim no honor in the king’s presence,
nor occupy the place of superiors;
7 For it is better to be told, “Come up closer!”
than to be humbled before the prince.(B)
8 What your eyes have seen
do not bring forth too quickly against an opponent;
For what will you do later on
when your neighbor puts you to shame?
9 [g]Argue your own case with your neighbor,
but the secrets of others do not disclose;
10 Lest, hearing it, they reproach you,
and your ill repute never ceases.
11 Golden apples in silver settings
are words spoken at the proper time.
12 A golden earring or a necklace of fine gold—
one who gives wise reproof to a listening ear.
13 Like the coolness of snow in the heat of the harvest
are faithful messengers for those who send them,
lifting the spirits of their masters.
14 Clouds and wind but no rain—
the one who boasts of a gift not given.
15 By patience is a ruler persuaded,(C)
and a soft tongue can break a bone.
16 [h]If you find honey, eat only what you need,
lest you have your fill and vomit it up.
17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbors’ house,
lest they have their fill of you—and hate you.
18 A club, sword, or sharp arrow—
the one who bears false witness against a neighbor.(D)
19 A bad tooth or an unsteady foot—
a trust betrayed in time of trouble.[i]
20 Like the removal of clothes on a cold day, or vinegar on soda,
is the one who sings to a troubled heart.
21 [j]If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat,
if thirsty, give something to drink;(E)
22 For live coals you will heap on their heads,
and the Lord will vindicate you.
23 The north wind brings rain,
and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.
24 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop
than in a mansion with a quarrelsome wife.[k](F)
25 Cool water to one faint from thirst
is good news from a far country.
26 A trampled fountain or a polluted spring—[l]
a just person fallen before the wicked.
27 To eat too much honey is not good;
nor to seek honor after honor.[m]
28 A city breached and left defenseless
are those who do not control their temper.
Chapter 26[n]
1 Like snow in summer, like rain in harvest,
honor for a fool is out of place.[o]
2 Like the sparrow in its flitting, like the swallow in its flight,
a curse uncalled-for never lands.[p]
3 The whip for the horse, the bridle for the ass,
and the rod for the back of fools.(G)
4 [q]Do not answer fools according to their folly,
lest you too become like them.
5 Answer fools according to their folly,
lest they become wise in their own eyes.
6 Those who send messages by a fool
cut off their feet; they drink down violence.
7 [r]A proverb in the mouth of a fool
hangs limp, like crippled legs.
8 Giving honor to a fool
is like entangling a stone in the sling.
9 A thorn stuck in the hand of a drunkard
is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
10 An archer wounding all who pass by
is anyone who hires a drunken fool.
11 As dogs return to their vomit,
so fools repeat their folly.(H)
12 You see those who are wise in their own eyes?
There is more hope for fools than for them.
13 [s]The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the street,
a lion in the middle of the square!”(I)
14 The door turns on its hinges
and sluggards, on their beds.
15 The sluggard buries a hand in the dish,
too weary to lift it to the mouth.(J)
16 In their own eyes sluggards are wiser
than seven who answer with good judgment.
17 Whoever meddles in the quarrel of another
is one who grabs a passing dog by the ears.
18 Like a crazed archer
scattering firebrands and deadly arrows,
19 Such are those who deceive their neighbor,
and then say, “I was only joking.”
20 [t]Without wood the fire dies out;
without a talebearer strife subsides.
21 Charcoal for coals, wood for fire—
such are the quarrelsome, enkindling strife.(K)
22 The words of a talebearer are like dainty morsels:
they sink into one’s inmost being.[u](L)
23 Like a glazed finish on earthenware
are smooth lips and a wicked heart.[v]
24 With their lips enemies pretend,
but inwardly they maintain deceit;
25 When they speak graciously, do not trust them,(M)
for seven abominations[w] are in their hearts.
26 Hatred can be concealed by pretense,
but malice will be revealed in the assembly.[x]
27 Whoever digs a pit falls into it;
and a stone comes back upon the one who rolls it.(N)
28 The lying tongue is its owner’s enemy,
and the flattering mouth works ruin.
Chapter 9
God’s Indescribable Gift.[a] 1 Now about the service to the holy ones, it is superfluous for me to write to you, 2 for I know your eagerness, about which I boast of you to the Macedonians, that Achaia[b] has been ready since last year; and your zeal has stirred up most of them.(A) 3 Nonetheless, I sent the brothers[c] so that our boast about you might not prove empty in this case, so that you might be ready, as I said, 4 for fear that if any Macedonians come with me and find you not ready we might be put to shame (to say nothing of you) in this conviction. 5 So I thought it necessary to encourage the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for your promised gift, so that in this way it might be ready as a bountiful gift and not as an exaction.
6 Consider this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.(B) 7 Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.(C) 8 [d]Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work. 9 As it is written:
“He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever.”(D)
10 The one who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness.(E)
11 [e]You are being enriched in every way for all generosity, which through us produces thanksgiving to God, 12 for the administration of this public service is not only supplying the needs of the holy ones but is also overflowing in many acts of thanksgiving to God. 13 Through the evidence of this service, you are glorifying God for your obedient confession of the gospel of Christ and the generosity of your contribution to them and to all others,(F) 14 while in prayer on your behalf they long for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!(G)
Scripture texts, prefaces, introductions, footnotes and cross references used in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.