More of Solomon's Proverbs
1 Here are more of Solomon's proverbs, copied by scribes at the court of King Hezekiah of Judah.
2 We honor God for what he conceals; we honor kings for what they explain.
3 You never know what a king is thinking; his thoughts are beyond us, like the heights of the sky or the depths of the ocean.
4 Take the impurities out of silver and the artist can produce a thing of beauty. 5 Keep evil advisers away from the king and his government will be known for its justice.
6 When you stand before the king, don't try to impress him and pretend to be important. 7 It is better to be asked to take a higher position than to be told to give your place to someone more important.
8 Don't be too quick to go to court about something you have seen. If another witness later proves you wrong, what will you do then?
9 If you and your neighbor have a difference of opinion, settle it between yourselves and do not reveal any secrets. 10 Otherwise everyone will learn that you can't keep a secret, and you will never live down the shame.
11 An idea well-expressed is like a design of gold, set in silver.
12 A warning given by an experienced person to someone willing to listen is more valuable than gold rings or jewelry made of the finest gold.
13 A reliable messenger is refreshing to the one who sends him, like cold water in the heat of harvest time.
14 People who promise things that they never give are like clouds and wind that bring no rain.
15 Patient persuasion can break down the strongest resistance and can even convince rulers.
16 Never eat more honey than you need; too much may make you vomit. 17 Don't visit your neighbors too often; they may get tired of you and come to hate you.
18 A false accusation is as deadly as a sword, a club, or a sharp arrow.
19 Depending on an unreliable person in a crisis is like trying to chew with a loose tooth or walk with a crippled foot.
20 Singing to a person who is depressed is like taking off a person's clothes on a cold day or like rubbing salt in a wound.
21 If your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them a drink. 22 You will make them burn with shame, and the Lord will reward you.
23 Gossip brings anger just as surely as the north wind brings rain.
24 Better to live on the roof than share the house with a nagging wife.
25 Finally hearing good news from a distant land is like a drink of cold water when you are dry and thirsty.
26 A good person who gives in to someone who is evil reminds you of a polluted spring or a poisoned well.
27 Too much honey is bad for you, and so is trying to win too much praise.
28 If you cannot control your anger, you are as helpless as a city without walls, open to attack.
Sālamana izteicieni: līdzības un pamācības
1 Arī šie ir Sālamana sakāmvārdi, ko pārrakstījuši Jūdas ķēniņa Hizkijas vīri.
2 Dieva gods – apslēpt,
bet ķēniņu gods – atklāt.
3 Ne debesu augstumu, ne zemes dziļumu,
ne ķēniņu domas nevar izmērot.
4 Prom sārņus no sudraba –
un kalējam iznāks trauks,
5 prom ļaundari no ķēniņa galma –
un stiprs taisnībā būs viņa tronis!
6 Nedižojies ķēniņa galmā
un starp augstmaņiem nenostājies –
7 labāk lai saka: nāc tu tuvāk! –
nekā tev atkāpties augstdzimuša priekšā!
Ko tavas acis redzējušas,
8 nesteidzies tūdaļ celt tiesas priekšā,
jo ko gan darīsi,
ja tas otrs apkaunos tevi?
9 Tiesājies ar vienu,
bet cita noslēpumus neatklāj,
10 jo tevi liks kaunā, kas to padzirdēs,
un neslava neatstāsies no tevis!
11 Kā zelta āboli, sudrabā iedarināti,
tā vārdi, vietā pasacīti!
12 Kā zelta gredzens un tīrzelta rota,
tā gudrā rājiens dzirdīgām ausīm!
13 Kā sniega dzestrums pļaujas laikā,
tā uzticams vēstnesis tiem, kas viņu sūta!
Viņš atspirdzina dvēseli saviem kungiem!
14 Mākoņi un vējš, bet lietus nav! –
tāpat tas, kurš tik sola un sola.
15 Kas savaldīgs, dabū valdnieku savā pusē,
un mīksta mēle lauž kaulus.
16 Atradi medu? – ēd ar sātu,
ja būs tev pār mēru, izvemsi to!
17 Neej par biežu kaimiņa namā,
ja būs tam pār mēru, viņš ienīdīs tevi!
18 Kā milna un šķēps un kā asa bulta –
tāds, kurš pret kaimiņu liecina melus!
19 Kā aizlūzis zobs, kā grīļīga kāja –
uz viltvārdi paļauties posta dienā!
20 Kā novilkt mēteli aukstā dienā,
kā liet etiķi pie sārma –
tā dziesmas dziedāt skumīgai sirdij!
21 Ja tavs naidnieks izsalcis, paēdini viņu,
un, ja tam slāpst, padzirdi viņu –
22 tu būsi sarausis kvēlošas ogles uz viņa galvas,
un Kungs tev atlīdzinās.
23 Ziemeļvējš apmāc debesis –
vaigu nomāc aprunāšana.
24 Labāk tad mājot jumta galā,
ne vienā namā ar ķildīgu sievu!
25 Vēss ūdens kaltušai rīklei –
ir laba vēsts no tālas zemes!
26 Izbradāts avots, sagrauta aka –
ir taisnais, kas paklūp ļaundara priekšā!
27 Ne pārēsties medu ir labi,
ne paģērēt godu ir gods!
28 Nograuta pilsēta bez mūriem –
tāds ir vīrs, kurš nevalda pār savu garu!
