PROVERBS

PROVERBS

1. Four things on earth are small, 

yet they are exceedingly wise;

the ANTS are a people without strength,

yet they provide their food in the summer; 

the BADGERS are a people without power,

yet they make their homes in rocks;

the LOCUST have no king, 

yet all of them march in rank;

the LIZARD can be grasped in the hand,

yet it is found in kings' places.  (30:24-28)

2. If you have been foolish, 

exalting yourself, or if you have been devising evil, 

put your hand on your mouth.

For as pressing milk produces curds,

and pressing the nose produces blood,

so pressing anger produces strife. (30:32-33)

3. Give strong drink to one who is perishing, 

and wine to those in bitter distress;

let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.

Speak out for those who cannot speak, 

for the rights of all the destitute.

Speak out, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy. (31:6-9)

4. Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,

but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Give her a share in the fruit of her hands, 

and let her works praise her in the city gates. (31:30-31)

5. If your enemies are hungry, give them bread to eat, 

and if they are thirsty, give them water to drink;

for you will heap coals of fire on their heads

and the Lord will reward you. (25:21-22)

6. With patience a ruler may be persuaded, 

and a soft tongue can break bones. 

If you have found honey, eat only enough for you,

or else, having too much, you will vomit it. (25:15-16)

7. Under three things the earth trembles; 

under four it cannot bear up:

a SLAVE when he becomes king

and a FOOL when glutted with food; 

an UNLOVED woman when she gets a husband, 

and a MAID when she succeeds her mistress. (30:21-23)