Through the Bible – Day 257

Bible text(s)

Proverbs 25

More of Solomon's wise sayings

₁Here are more

of Solomon's proverbs.

They were copied by the officials

of King Hezekiah of Judah.

₂God is praised

for being mysterious;

rulers are praised

for explaining mysteries.

₃Who can fully understand

the thoughts of a ruler?

They reach beyond the sky

and go deep in the earth.

₄Silver must be purified

before it can be used

to make something of value.

₅Evil people must be removed

before anyone can rule

with justice.

₆Don't try to seem important

in the court of a ruler.

₇It's better for the ruler

to give you a high position

than for you to be embarrassed

in front of royal officials.

Be sure you are right

₈before you sue someone,

or you might lose your case

and be embarrassed.

₉When you and someone else

can't get along,

don't gossip about it.

₁₀Others will find out,

and your reputation

will then be ruined.

₁₁The right word

at the right time

is like precious gold

set in silver.

₁₂Listening to good advice

is worth much more

than jewellery made of gold.

₁₃A messenger you can trust

is just as refreshing

as cool water in summer.

₁₄Broken promises

are worse than rain clouds

that don't bring rain.

₁₅Patience and gentle talk

can convince a ruler

and overcome any problem.

₁₆Eating too much honey

can make you sick.

₁₇Don't visit friends too often,

or they will get tired of it

and start hating you.

₁₈Telling lies about friends

is like attacking them

with clubs and swords

and sharp arrows.

₁₉A friend you can't trust

in times of trouble

is like having a toothache

or a sore foot.

₂₀Singing to someone

in deep sorrow

is like pouring vinegar

in an open cut.

₂₁If your enemies are hungry,

give them something to eat.

And if they are thirsty,

give them something

to drink.

₂₂This will be the same

as piling burning coals

on their heads.

And the LORD

will reward you.

₂₃As surely as rain blows in

from the north,

anger is caused

by cruel words.

₂₄It's better to stay outside

on the roof of your house

than to live inside

with a nagging wife.

₂₅Good news from far away

refreshes like cold water

when you are thirsty.

₂₆When a good person gives in

to the wicked,

it's like dumping rubbish

in a stream of clear water.

₂₇Don't eat too much honey

or always want praise.

₂₈Losing self-control

leaves you as helpless

as a city without a wall.

Proverbs 25:1-28CEVOpen in Bible reader

2 Corinthians 10

Paul is a true apostle

Paul defends his work for Christ

₁Do you think I am a coward when I am with you and brave when I am far away? Well, I ask you to listen, because Christ himself was humble and gentle. ₂Some people have said that we act like the people of this world. So when I arrive, I expect I will have to be firm and forceful in what I say to them. Please don't make me treat you that way. ₃We live in this world, but we don't act like its people ₄or fight our battles with the weapons of this world. Instead, we use God's power that can destroy fortresses. We destroy arguments ₅and every bit of pride that keeps anyone from knowing God. We capture people's thoughts and make them obey Christ. ₆And when you completely obey him, we will punish anyone who refuses to obey.

₇You judge by appearances. If any of you think you are the only ones who belong to Christ, then think again. We belong to Christ as much as you do. ₈Perhaps I boast a little too much about the authority that the Lord gave me to help you and not to hurt you. Yet I am not embarrassed to boast. ₉And I am not trying to scare you with my letters. ₁₀Some of you are saying, “Paul's letters are harsh and powerful. But in person, he is a weakling and has nothing worth saying.” ₁₁Those people had better understand that when I am with you, I will do exactly what I say in my letters.

₁₂We won't dare compare ourselves with those who think so much of themselves. But they are foolish to compare themselves with themselves. ₁₃We won't boast about something we don't have a right to boast about. We will only boast about the work that God has sent us to do, and you are part of that work. ₁₄We are not boasting more than we should. After all, we did bring the message about Christ to you.

₁₅We don't boast about what others have done, as if we had done those things ourselves. But I hope that as you become stronger in your faith, we will be able to reach many more of the people around you. That has always been our goal. ₁₆Then we will be able to preach the good news in other lands where we cannot take credit for work someone else has already done. ₁₇The Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, then boast about the Lord.” ₁₈You may boast about yourself, but the only approval that counts is the Lord's approval.

2 Corinthians 10:1-18CEVOpen in Bible reader