Old/New Testament
25 ¶ These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
2 ¶ It is the glory of God to conceal the word, but the honour of kings is to search out the word.
3 For the height of the heavens and depth of the earth and for the heart of kings, there is no investigation.
4 ¶ Take away the dross from the silver, and a vessel shall come forth for the finer.
5 Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
6 ¶ Do not praise thyself in the presence of the king, and do not stand in the place of great men;
7 for it is better that it be said unto thee, Come up here than that thou should be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.
8 ¶ Do not go forth hastily to strive lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof when thy neighbour has put thee to shame.
9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself and do not uncover the secret to another
10 lest he that hears it put thee to shame and thine infamy not turn away.
11 ¶ A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold inscribed with silver.
12 As an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold, so is he who reproves a wise man who has a docile ear.
13 ¶ As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to those that send him, for he refreshes the soul of his master.
14 ¶ Whosoever boasts in a gift of falsehood is like clouds and wind without rain.
15 ¶ By long forbearing a prince is persuaded, and a soft tongue breaks the bones.
16 ¶ Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.
17 ¶ Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour’s house lest he be weary of thee and so hate thee.
18 ¶ A man that bears false witness against his neighbour is a maul and a sword and a sharp arrow.
19 ¶ Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
20 ¶ As he that takes away a garment in cold weather and as vinegar upon soap, so is he that sings songs to a heavy heart.
21 ¶ If thy enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,
22 for thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.
23 ¶ The north wind drives away rain, so does an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.
24 ¶ It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.
25 ¶ As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
26 ¶ A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain and a corrupt spring.
27 ¶ It is not good to eat much honey, so for men to search their own glory is not glory.
28 ¶ The man whose spirit has no restraint is like a city that is broken down and without walls.
26 ¶ As snow in summer and as rain in harvest, so honour is not suited for a fool.
2 ¶ As the sparrow in its wandering, as the swallow in its flight, so the curse causeless shall never come.
3 ¶ A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back.
4 ¶ Never answer a fool according to his folly lest thou also be like unto him.
5 Answer the fool showing him his folly lest he be wise in his own conceit.
6 ¶ He that gives responsibility to one who is not able to carry it out is like him that sends a message by the hand of a fool, and he shall drink the damage.
7 Like unto the way that the one who is lame walks, so is a proverb in the mouth of the fool.
8 As he that binds the stone in the sling, so is he that gives honour to a fool.
9 As thorns sunk into the hand of one who is drunk, so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
10 ¶ The great God that formed all things rewards both the fool and transgressors.
11 ¶ As a dog returns to his vomit, so the fool returns to his folly.
12 ¶ Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
13 ¶ The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
14 ¶ As the door turns upon his hinges, so does the slothful upon his bed.
15 ¶ The slothful hides his hand in his bosom; it grieves him to bring it again to his mouth.
16 ¶ The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can give him counsel.
17 ¶ He that passes by and meddles with strife not belonging to him is like one that takes a dog by the ears.
18 ¶ As a mad man who casts firebrands, arrows, and death,
19 so is the man that destroys his friend and says, Am I not in sport?
20 ¶ Where there is no wood, the fire goes out, so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceases.
21 Charcoal for burning coals and wood for fire, and a contentious man to kindle strife.
22 The words of a talebearer seem smooth, but they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
23 ¶ Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
24 ¶ He that hates dissembles with his lips and lays up deceit within him;
25 when he speaks fair, do not believe him, for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 Even though his hatred is covered up in the desert, his wickedness shall be showed before the whole congregation.
27 ¶ Whosoever digs a pit shall fall therein, and he that rolls a stone, it will return upon him.
28 ¶ A lying tongue hates those that are afflicted by it, and a flattering mouth works ruin.
9 ¶ For regarding the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:
2 For I know your ready desire, for which I gloried of you to those of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago, and your zeal has provoked many.
3 Yet I have sent the brethren lest our glorying of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready,
4 lest haply if those of Macedonia come with me and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed of this our confidence.
5 Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would first go unto you and prepare beforehand your blessing, of which ye had given notice before that the same might be ready as a blessing, and not as of covetousness.
6 ¶ But this I say, He who sows sparingly shall reap also sparingly, and he who sows in blessings shall also reap blessings.
7 Each one according as they purpose in their heart, so let them give, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.
8 And God is able to make all grace abound in you that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
9 As it is written, He has dispersed abroad; he has given to the poor; his righteousness remains for ever.
10 Now he that supplies seed to the sower shall also supply bread for food and shall multiply your seed sown and shall increase the growing of the fruits of your righteousness,
11 so that being enriched in everything to all generosity, which works out through us thanksgiving unto God.
12 For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also abounds in much thanksgiving unto God;
13 that by the experience of this ministration, they glorify God for the obedience of your consent unto the gospel of the Christ and in your liberal distribution unto them and unto everyone,
14 and in their prayer for you, for they love you because of the eminent grace of God in you.
15 Thanks be unto God for his indescribable gift.
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