Various maxims and observations of Solomon, collected by the men of Hezekiah, about kings, and other subjects of both private and public concern.
1AS asnow in summer, and as rain in harvest, bso honour is not seemly for a fool.
a Ec. 3.1,11. 1Sa. 12.17. b Ps. 15.4; 12.8. Es. 3.1. 1Sa. 2.30.
2As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, cso the curse causeless shall not come.
c Nu. 23.8. Re. 13.5,6. Ps. 109.28. Je. 15.10,11.
3A dwhip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and ea rod for the fool's back.
d Ps. 32.9. ch. 10.13. Jn. 2.15. 1Co. 4.21. 2Co. 10.6. e ch. 19.29.
4fAnswer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
f Mat. 7.6. Lu. 23.8. Is. 36.21. ch. 9.7,8. 2Sa. 16.11. 2Ki. 18.36.
5gAnswer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in 1his own *conceit.
1Heb. his own eyes.
*conceit-opinion, conception.
g Mat. 21.24; 16.1-4. Tit. 1.13.
6He hthat sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh 2damage.
2Or, violence.
h ch. 13.17; 10.26. Nu. 13.31.
7The legs of the lame 3are not equal: iso is a parable in the mouth of fools.
3Heb. are lifted up.
i ch. 17.7. Ps. 50.16; 64.8. v.9.
84As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, jso is he that giveth honour to a fool.
4Or, As he that putteth a precious stone in a heap of stones.
j Ps. 15.4. ch. 30.22; 19.10; 27.7. v.1.
9As ka thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
k v.7.
105The great God that formed all things lboth rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.
5Or, A great man grieveth all, and he hireth the fool, he hireth also transgressors.
l ch. 11.31. Ro. 2.6. Re. 22.12.
11As ma dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool 6returneth to his folly.
6Heb. iterateth his folly.
m 2Pe. 2.22. Ex. 8.15.
12nSeest thou a man wise in his own *conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
*conceit-opinion, conception.
n Lu. 18.11. Re. 3.17. v.16. Ro. 12.16. ch. 28.11; 29.20. Mat. 21.31.
13The oslothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
o ch. 22.13; 15.19. Mat. 22.5.
14As pthe door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
p ch. 6.9,10; 24.33. 2Ti. 3.7.
15The qslothful hideth his hand in his bosom; 7it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.
7Or, he is weary.
q ch. 19.24; 12.27.
16The r*sluggard is wiser in his own *conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
*sluggard-habitually idle or lazy person.
*conceit-opinion, conception.
r v.12. Lu. 18.11. Ec. 10.14. ch. 12.15.
17He sthat passeth by, and 8meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
8Or, is enraged.
s ch. 13.10; 17.14; 18.6,7; 22.10; 25.8; 30.33.
18 As a mad man who casteth 9firebrands, arrows, and death,
9Heb. flames or sparks.
19tSo is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
t ch. 14.9; 10.23. Ep. 5.4.
2010Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so uwhere there is no 11talebearer, the strife 12ceaseth.
10Heb. Without wood.
11Or, whisperer.
12Heb. is silent.
u ch. 22.10; 16.28. v.22. Ja. 3.6. Le. 19.16. 1Ti. 5.13.
21As vcoals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
v ch. 15.18; 10.12; 30.33; 29.22. Nu. 16.1.
22The wwords of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the 13innermost parts of the belly.
13Heb. chambers.
w ch. 18.8; 12.13; 20.19. Eze. 22.9.
23xBurning lips and a wicked heart are like a *potsherd covered with silver dross.
*potsherd-piece of broken pottery.
x ch. 10.18. v.24-26. 2Sa. 15.3,4. Mat. 2.8.
24He that hateth 14dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
14Or, is known. ch. 10.18. Ps. 12.2; 55.21.
25yWhen he 15speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
15Heb. maketh his voice gracious.
y Je. 9.2-8. Mi. 7.5. Mat. 10.16,17. Ps. 12.2; 28.3.
26Whose 16hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.
16Or, hatred is covered in secret. 2Sa. 13.22,26. Ps. 55.21,23.
27zWhoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
z Ps. 7.15,16; 9.15; 57.6. ch. 28.10. Ec. 10.8. Ju. 9.18,33. Es. 7.10.
28A alying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; band a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
a Es. 3.5. b Ps. 12.2. ch. 7.21; 1.10-16; 6.24; 29.5.