Proverbs 25; Proverbs 26; 2 Corinthians 9

1 These are more proverbs of Solomon. They were copied down by the men of Hezekiah, the king of Judah.

2 When God hides a matter, he gets glory. When kings figure out a matter, they get glory.

3 The heavens are high and the earth is deep. In the same way, the minds of kings are hard to figure out.

4 Remove the scum from the silver. Then the master worker can make something.

5 Remove sinful people from where the king is. When he does what is right, his kingdom will be secure.

6 Don't brag in front of the king. Don't claim a place among great people.

7 Let the king say to you, "Come up here." That's better than for him to shame you in front of nobles. What you have seen with your own eyes

8 don't bring too quickly to court. What will you do in the end if your neighbor puts you to shame?

9 If you talk about a matter with your neighbor, don't tell others what was said.

10 If you do, someone might hear it and put you to shame. Then no one will ever respect you again.

11 The right word at the right time is like golden apples in silver jewelry.

12 A wise person's warning to a listening ear is like a gold earring or jewelry made of fine gold.

13 A messenger trusted by those who send him is like cool snow at harvest time. He renews the spirit of his masters.

14 A man who brags about gifts he doesn't give is like wind and clouds that don't produce rain.

15 If you are patient, you can win an official over to your side. And gentle words can break a bone.

16 If you find honey, eat just enough. If you eat too much of it, you will throw up.

17 Don't go to your neighbor's home very often. If he sees too much of you, he will hate you.

18 A man who gives false witness against his neighbor is like a club, a sword or a sharp arrow.

19 Trusting someone who is not faithful when trouble comes is like a bad tooth or a disabled foot.

20 You may sing songs to a troubled heart. But that's like taking a coat away on a cold day. It's like pouring vinegar on baking soda.

21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat. If he is thirsty, give him water to drink.

22 By doing those things, you will pile up burning coals on his head. And the LORD will reward you.

23 The north wind brings rain. And a crafty tongue brings angry looks.

24 It is better to live on a corner of a roof than to share a house with a nagging wife.

25 Hearing good news from a land far away is like drinking cold water when you are tired.

26 Sometimes a godly person gives in to those who are evil. Then he becomes like a muddy spring of water or a polluted well.

27 It isn't good for you to eat too much honey. And you shouldn't try to get others to honor you.

28 A man who can't control himself is like a city whose walls are broken down.

1 It isn't proper to honor a foolish person. That's like having snow in summer or rain at harvest time.

2 A curse given for no reason is like a wandering bird or a flying sparrow. It doesn't go anywhere.

3 A whip is for a horse. A harness is for a donkey. And a beating is for the backs of foolish people.

4 Don't answer a foolish person in keeping with his foolish acts. If you do, you will be like him yourself.

5 Answer a foolish person in keeping with his foolish acts. If you do, he won't be wise in his own eyes.

6 Sending a message in the hand of a foolish person is like cutting off your feet or drinking something harmful.

7 A proverb in the mouth of a foolish person is like disabled legs that are useless.

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

9 A proverb in the mouth of a foolish person is like a thorn in the hand of someone who is drunk.

10 Anyone who hires a foolish person or someone who is passing by is like a person who shoots arrows at just anybody.

11 A foolish person who does the same foolish things again is like a dog that returns to where it has thrown up.

12 Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a foolish person than for him.

13 A person who doesn't want to work says, "There's a lion in the road! There's an angry lion wandering in the streets!"

14 A person who doesn't want to work turns over in bed just like a door that swings back and forth.

15 A person who doesn't want to work leaves his hand in the dish. He acts as if he is too tired to bring it back up to his mouth.

16 A person who doesn't want to work is wiser in his own eyes than seven people who give careful answers.

17 Don't get mixed up in someone else's fight as you are passing by. That's like picking a dog up by its ears.

18 Suppose a crazy person shoots flaming arrows that can kill.

19 A man who lies to his neighbor and says, "I was only joking!" is just like that person.

20 If you don't have wood, your fire goes out. If you don't talk about others, arguing dies down.

21 Coal glows. Wood burns. And a man who argues stirs up fights.

22 The words of anyone who talks about others are like tasty bites of food. They go deep down inside you.

23 Warm words that come from an evil heart are like shiny paint on a clay pot.

24 Someone who wants to hurt you uses his words to hide his hatred. But his heart is full of lies that cover up his evil plans.

25 What a person says can be charming. But don't believe him. Seven things that God hates can fill that person's heart.

26 Hatred can be hidden by lies. But what is evil will be shown to everyone.

27 If anyone digs a pit, he will fall into it. If he rolls a big stone, it will roll back on him.

28 A tongue that tells lies hates the people it hurts. And words that seem to praise you destroy you.

1 I don't need to write to you about giving to God's people.

2 I know how much you want to help. I have been bragging about it to the people in Macedonia. I have been telling them that since last year you who live in Achaia were ready to give. You are so excited that it has stirred up most of them to take action.

3 But I am sending the brothers. Then our bragging about you in this matter will have a good reason. You will be ready, just as I said you would be.

4 Suppose people from Macedonia come with me and find out that you are not prepared. Then we, as well as you, would be ashamed of being so certain.

5 So I thought I should try to get the brothers to visit you ahead of time. They will finish the plans for the large gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a gift that is freely given. It will not be given by force.

6 Here is something to remember. The one who plants only a little will gather only a little. And the one who plants a lot will gather a lot.

7 You should each give what you have decided in your heart to give. You shouldn't give if you don't want to. You shouldn't give because you are forced to. God loves a cheerful giver.

8 And God is able to shower all kinds of blessings on you. In all things and at all times you will have everything you need. You will do more and more good works.

9 It is written, "They have spread their gifts around to poor people. Their good works continue forever." (Psalm 112:9)

10 God supplies seed to the planter. He supplies bread for food. God will also supply and increase the amount of your seed. He will increase the results of your good works.

11 You will be made rich in every way. Then you can always give freely. We will take your many gifts to the people who need them. And they will give thanks to God.

12 Your gifts meet the needs of God's people. And that's not all. Your gifts also cause many people to thank God.

13 You have shown yourselves to be worthy by what you have given. So people will praise God because you obey him. That proves that you really believe the good news about Christ. They will also praise God because you share freely with them and with everyone else.

14 Their hearts will be filled with longing for you when they pray for you. God has given you grace that is better than anything.

15 Let us give thanks to God for his gift. It is so great that no one can tell how wonderful it really is!