Proverbs 25; Proverbs 26; 2 Corinthians 9

1 These are more wise sayings of Solomon, copied by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah.

2 God is honored for what he keeps secret. Kings are honored for what they can discover.

3 No one can measure the height of the skies or the depth of the earth. So also no one can understand the mind of a king.

4 Remove the scum from the silver, so the silver can be used by the silversmith.

5 Remove wicked people from the king's presence; then his government will be honest and last a long time.

6 Don't brag to the king and act as if you are great.

7 It is better for him to give you a higher position than to bring you down in front of the prince. Because of something you have seen,

8 do not quickly take someone to court. What will you do later when your neighbor proves you wrong?

9 If you have an argument with your neighbor, don't tell other people what was said.

10 Whoever hears it might shame you, and you might not ever be respected again.

11 The right word spoken at the right time is as beautiful as gold apples in a silver bowl.

12 A wise warning to someone who will listen is as valuable as gold earrings or fine gold jewelry.

13 Trustworthy messengers refresh those who send them, like the coolness of snow in the summertime.

14 People who brag about gifts they never give are like clouds and wind that give no rain.

15 With patience you can convince a ruler, and a gentle word can get through to the hard-headed.

16 If you find honey, don't eat too much, or it will make you throw up.

17 Don't go to your neighbor's house too often; too much of you will make him hate you.

18 When you lie about your neighbors, it hurts them as much as a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.

19 Trusting unfaithful people when you are in trouble is like eating with a broken tooth or walking with a crippled foot.

20 Singing songs to someone who is sad is like taking away his coat on a cold day or pouring vinegar on soda.

21 If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink.

22 Doing this will be like pouring burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.

23 As the north wind brings rain, telling gossip brings angry looks.

24 It is better to live in a corner on the roofn than inside the house with a quarreling wife.

25 Good news from a faraway place is like a cool drink when you are tired.

26 A good person who gives in to evil is like a muddy spring or a dirty well.

27 It is not good to eat too much honey, nor does it bring you honor to brag about yourself.

28 Those who do not control themselves are like a city whose walls are broken down.

1 It shouldn't snow in summer or rain at harvest. Neither should a foolish person ever be honored.

2 Curses will not harm someone who is innocent; they are like sparrows or swallows that fly around and never land.

3 Whips are for horses, and harnesses are for donkeys, so paddles are good for fools.

4 Don't give fools a foolish answer, or you will be just like them.

5 But answer fools as they should be answered, or they will think they are really wise.

6 Sending a message by a foolish person is like cutting off your feet or drinking poison.

7 A wise saying spoken by a fool is as useless as the legs of a crippled person.

8 Giving honor to a foolish person is like tying a stone in a slingshot.

9 A wise saying spoken by a fool is like a thorn stuck in the hand of a drunk.

10 Hiring a foolish person or anyone just passing by is like an archer shooting at just anything.

11 A fool who repeats his foolishness is like a dog that goes back to what it has thrown up.

12 There is more hope for a foolish person than for those who think they are wise.

13 The lazy person says, "There's a lion in the road! There's a lion in the streets!"

14 Like a door turning back and forth on its hinges, the lazy person turns over and over in bed.

15 Lazy people may put their hands in the dish, but they are too tired to lift the food to their mouths.

16 The lazy person thinks he is wiser than seven people who give sensible answers.

17 Interfering in someone else's quarrel as you pass by is like grabbing a dog by the ears.

18 Like a madman shooting deadly, burning arrows

19 is the one who tricks a neighbor and then says, "I was just joking."

20 Without wood, a fire will go out, and without gossip, quarreling will stop.

21 Just as charcoal and wood keep a fire going, a quarrelsome person keeps an argument going.

22 The words of a gossip are like tasty bits of food; people like to gobble them up.

23 Kind words from a wicked mind are like a shiny coating on a clay pot.

24 Those who hate you may try to fool you with their words, but in their minds they are planning evil.

25 People's words may be kind, but don't believe them, because their minds are full of evil thoughts.

26 Lies can hide hate, but the evil will be plain to everyone.

27 Whoever digs a pit for others will fall into it. Whoever tries to roll a boulder down on others will be crushed by it.

28 Liars hate the people they hurt, and false praise can ruin others.

1 I really do not need to write you about this help for God's people.

2 I know you want to help. I have been bragging about this to the people in Macedonia, telling them that you in Southern Greece have been ready to give since last year. And your desire to give has made most of them ready to give also.

3 But I am sending the brothers to you so that our bragging about you in this will not be empty words. I want you to be ready, as I said you would be.

4 If any of the people from Macedonia come with me and find that you are not ready, we will be ashamed that we were so sure of you. (And you will be ashamed, too!)

5 So I thought I should ask these brothers to go to you before we do. They will finish getting in order the generous gift you promised so it will be ready when we come. And it will be a generous gift -- not one that you did not want to give.

6 Remember this: The person who plants a little will have a small harvest, but the person who plants a lot will have a big harvest.

7 Each one should give as you have decided in your heart to give. You should not be sad when you give, and you should not give because you feel forced to give. God loves the person who gives happily.

8 And God can give you more blessings than you need. Then you will always have plenty of everything -- enough to give to every good work.

9 It is written in the Scriptures: "He gives freely to the poor. The things he does are right and will continue forever."

10 God is the One who gives seed to the farmer and bread for food. He will give you all the seed you need and make it grow so there will be a great harvest from your goodness.

11 He will make you rich in every way so that you can always give freely. And your giving through us will cause many to give thanks to God.

12 This service you do not only helps the needs of God's people, it also brings many more thanks to God.

13 It is a proof of your faith. Many people will praise God because you obey the Good News of Christ -- the gospel you say you believe -- and because you freely share with them and with all others.

14 And when they pray, they will wish they could be with you because of the great grace that God has given you.

15 Thanks be to God for his gift that is too wonderful for words.