In The Word
Read: Proverbs 25:1-26:12
Similitudes and Instructions
25 These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, transcribed.
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter,
But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
3 As the heavens for height and the earth for depth,
So the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4 Take away the impurities from the silver,
And there comes out a vessel for the smith;
5 Take away the wicked before the king,
And his throne will be established in righteousness.
6 Do not boast in the presence of the king,
And do not stand in the same place as great people;
7 For it is better that it be said to you, “Come up here,”
Than for you to be placed lower in the presence of the prince,
Whom your eyes have seen.
8 Do not go out hastily to argue your case;
Otherwise, what will you do in the end,
When your neighbor humiliates you?
9 Argue your case with your neighbor,
And do not reveal the secret of another,
10 Or one who hears it will put you to shame,
And the evil report about you will not pass away.
11 Like apples of gold in settings of silver,
Is a word spoken at the proper time.
12 Like an earring of gold and a jewelry piece of fine gold,
Is a wise person who offers rebukes to a listening ear.
13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest
Is a faithful messenger to those who send him,
For he refreshes the soul of his masters.
14 Like clouds and wind without rain
Is a person who boasts of his gifts falsely.
15 Through patience a ruler may be persuaded,
And a gentle tongue breaks bone.
16 Have you found honey? Eat only what you need,
So that you do not have it in excess and vomit it.
17 Let your foot rarely be in your neighbor’s house,
Or he will become weary of you and hate you.
18 Like a club, a sword, and a sharp arrow
Is a person who gives false testimony against his neighbor.
19 Like a bad tooth and an unsteady foot
Is confidence in a treacherous person in time of trouble.
20 Like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar on soda,
Is one who sings songs to a troubled heart.
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;
And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
22 For you will heap burning coals on his head,
And the Lord will reward you.
23 The north wind brings rain,
And a gossiping tongue brings an angry face.
24 It is better to live on a corner of the roof,
Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.
25 Like cold water to a weary soul,
So is good news from a distant land.
26 Like a trampled spring and a polluted well,
So is a righteous person who gives way before the wicked.
27 It is not good to eat much honey,
Nor is it glory to search out one’s own glory.
28 Like a city that is broken into and without walls
So is a person who has no self-control over his spirit.
Similitudes and Instructions
26 Like snow in summer and like rain in harvest,
So honor is not fitting for a fool.
2 Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying,
So a curse without cause does not come to rest.
3 A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,
And a rod for the back of fools.
4 Do not answer a fool according to his foolishness,
Or you will also be like him.
5 Answer a fool as his foolishness deserves,
So that he will not be wise in his own eyes.
6 One who sends a message by the hand of a fool
Chops off his own feet and drinks violence.
7 Like useless legs to one who cannot walk,
So is a proverb in the mouths of fools.
8 Like one who binds a stone in a sling,
So is one who gives honor to a fool.
9 Like a thorn that sticks in the hand of a heavy drinker,
So is a proverb in the mouths of fools.
10 Like an archer who wounds everyone,
So is one who hires a fool or hires those who pass by.
11 Like a dog that returns to its vomit,
So is a fool who repeats his foolishness.
12 Do you see a person wise in his own eyes?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
If you knew someone outside your home wanted to harm you, would you let him in? Of course not! You would lock every door to keep him out. In ancient times, cities built strong walls to protect its residents from enemy access. But if there were holes in the wall, then the enemy could enter, rendering the wall useless. The same is true for us spiritually; in Proverbs 25:28, it says, “Like a city that is broken into and without walls is a man who has no control over his spirit.”
Our spiritual enemy seeks access into our lives to cause us great harm, and he will even use our own flesh against us by enticing us with temptations. Thankfully, God’s Spirit gives us a powerful wall to prevent the enemy’s access: self-control. If self-control is exercised at the first sign of temptation, it will protect you from trouble later on. But if not, the enemy will have full access to cause you great harm. Not to use self-control is unwise, but what is even more foolish is to repeat mistakes that caused trouble. Proverbs 26:11 says, “Like a dog that returns to its vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.”
Have you encountered trouble by not exercising self-control, maybe even repeating mistakes? Temptations are a powerful force that pull at us; but you can shut the door to the enemy by becoming strong in the Lord, because “greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).