The Skeptics Annotated Bible (505 page)

27 Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.

(24.28-32)

28
Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive not with thy lips.

(24.28)
“Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive not with thy lips.”
86 Is if OK to lie?

29
Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.

(24.29)
“Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.”

30
I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;

(24.30)
“I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding.”

31
And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.

(24.31)
“And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.”

32
Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction.

(24.32)
“Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction.”

33 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:

34 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.

25
These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.

2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.

(25.3-5) The glory of kings

3
The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.

(25.3)
“The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.
”

4 Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.

5 Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.

(25.5) “Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.”

6 Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men:

7 For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.

(25.8-22)

8
Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end
thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.

(25.8)
“Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end.”

9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another:

10 Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.

11
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.

(25.11) “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.”

12
As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.

(25.12)
“As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.”

13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.

14
Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.

(25.14)
“Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.”

15 By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and
a soft tongue breaketh the bone.

(25.15)
“A soft tongue breaketh the bone.”

16
Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.

(25.16)
“Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.”

17
Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour’s house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.

(25.17)
“Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour’s house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.”

18 A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.

(25.18)
“A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.”

19
Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.

(25.19)
“Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.”

20
As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.

(25.20)
“As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.”

21
If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:

22
For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head
, and the LORD shall reward thee.

(25.21-22)
“If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink. For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head.”
114 How should enemies be treated?

23 The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.

24
It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.

(25.24)
“It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.”

25
As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.

(25.25)
“As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.”

26
A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain
, and a corrupt spring.