Daily Bible Reading

Day 132

Today's reading: Proverbs 25-27

Look for the promises in God’s word. As you read and find them, write them in your journal along with the scripture reference.

Proverbs 25

Proverbs of Solomon Collected by Hezekiah

1. These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of King Hezekiah of Judah copied:
2. It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, and it is the glory of a king to search out a matter.
3. As the heaven is high and the earth is deep so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
4. Remove the dross from the silver, and material for the silversmith will emerge;
5. remove the wicked from before the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.
6. Do not honor yourself before the king, and do not stand in the place of great men;
7. for it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,” than to put you lower before a prince, whom your eyes have seen.
8. Do not go out hastily to litigation, or what will you do afterward when your neighbor puts you to shame?
9. When you argue a case with your neighbor, do not reveal the secret of another person,
10. lest the one who hears it put you to shame and your infamy will never go away.
11. Like apples of gold in settings of silver, so is a word skillfully spoken.
12. Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover to the ear of the one who listens.
13. Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to those who send him, for he refreshes the heart of his masters.
14. Like cloudy skies and wind that produce no rain, so is the one who boasts of a gift not given.
15. Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a soft tongue can break a bone.
16. When you find honey, eat only what is sufficient for you, lest you become stuffed with it and vomit it up.
17. Don’t set foot too frequently in your neighbor’s house, lest he become weary of you and hate you.
18. Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow, so is the one who testifies against his neighbor as a false witness.
19. Like a bad tooth or a foot out of joint, so is confidence in an unfaithful person at the time of trouble.
20. Like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar poured on soda, so is one who sings songs to a heavy 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 coals of fire on his head, and the Lord will reward you.
23. The north wind brings forth rain, and a gossiping tongue brings forth an angry look.
24. It is better to live on a corner of the housetop than in a house in company with a quarrelsome wife.
25. Like cold water to a weary person, so is good news from a distant land.
26. Like a muddied spring and a polluted well, so is a righteous person who gives way before the wicked.
27. It is not good to eat too much honey, nor is it honorable for people to seek their own glory.
28. Like a city that is broken down and without a wall, so is a person who cannot control his temper.

Proverbs 26

1. Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.
2. Like a fluttering bird or like a flying swallow, so a curse without cause does not come to rest.
3. A whip for the horse and a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools!
4. Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you yourself also be like him.
5. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own estimation.
6. Like cutting off the feet or drinking violence, so is sending a message by the hand of a fool.
7. Like legs that hang limp from the lame, so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
8. Like tying a stone in a sling, so is giving honor to a fool.
9. Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard, so is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
10. Like an archer who wounds at random, so is the one who hires a fool or hires any passer-by.
11. Like a dog that returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.
12. Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
13. The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! A lion in the streets!”
14. Like a door that turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed.
15. The sluggard plunges his hand in the dish; he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.
16. The sluggard is wiser in his own estimation than seven people who respond with good sense.
17. Like one who grabs a wild dog by the ears, so is the person passing by who becomes furious over a quarrel not his own.
18. Like a madman who shoots firebrands and deadly arrows,
19. so is a person who deceives his neighbor, and says, “Was I not only joking?”
20. Where there is no wood, a fire goes out, and where there is no gossip, contention ceases.
21. Like charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, so is a contentious person to kindle strife.
22. The words of a gossip are like delicious morsels; they go down into a person’s innermost being.
23. Like a coating of glaze over earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart.
24. The one who hates others disguises it with his lips, but he stores up deceit within him.
25. When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, for there are seven abominations within him.
26. Though his hatred may be concealed by deceit, his evil will be uncovered in the assembly.
27. The one who digs a pit will fall into it; the one who rolls a stone – it will come back on him.
28. A lying tongue hates those crushed by it, and a flattering mouth works ruin.

Proverbs 27

1. Do not boast about tomorrow; for you do not know what a day may bring forth.
2. Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips.
3. A stone is heavy and sand is weighty, but vexation by a fool is more burdensome than the two of them.
4. Wrath is cruel and anger is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?
5. Better is open rebuke than hidden love.
6. Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are excessive.
7. The one whose appetite is satisfied loathes honey, but to the hungry mouth every bitter thing is sweet.
8. Like a bird that wanders from its nest, so is a person who wanders from his home.
9. Ointment and incense make the heart rejoice, likewise the sweetness of one’s friend from sincere counsel.
10. Do not forsake your friend and your father’s friend, and do not enter your brother’s house in the day of your disaster; a neighbor nearby is better than a brother far away.
11. Be wise, my son, and make my heart glad, so that I may answer anyone who taunts me.
12. A shrewd person sees danger and hides himself, but the naive keep right on going and suffer for it.
13. Take a man’s garment when he has given security for a stranger, and when he gives surety for a stranger, hold him in pledge.
14. If someone blesses his neighbor with a loud voice early in the morning, it will be counted as a curse to him.
15. A continual dripping on a rainy day and a contentious wife are alike.
16. Whoever hides her hides the wind or grasps oil with his right hand.
17. As iron sharpens iron, so a person sharpens his friend.
18. The one who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and whoever takes care of his master will be honored.
19. As in water the face is reflected as a face, so a person’s heart reflects the person.
20. As Death and Destruction are never satisfied, so the eyes of a person are never satisfied.
21. As the crucible is for silver and the furnace is for gold, so a person is proved by the praise he receives.
22. If you should pound the fool in the mortar among the grain with the pestle, his foolishness would not depart from him.
23. Pay careful attention to the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds,
24. for riches do not last forever, nor does a crown last from generation to generation.
25. When the hay is removed and new grass appears, and the grass from the hills is gathered in,
26. the lambs will be for your clothing, and the goats will be for the price of a field.
27. And there will be enough goat’s milk for your food, for the food of your household, and for the sustenance of your servant girls.

{1 Kings 13-15}   {Daily Reading Guide}   {Proverbs 28-30}