Wisdom for Leaders
How should we navigate power, politics, and difficult people?
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Proverbs 25:1-29:27
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1These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
2It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
3As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
4Take away the dross from the silver, and material comes out for the refiner.
5Take away the wicked from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness.
6Don’t exalt yourself in the presence of the king, or claim a place among great men;
7for it is better that it be said to you, “Come up here,” than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince, whom your eyes have seen.
8Don’t be hasty in bringing charges to court. What will you do in the end when your neighbor shames you?
9Debate your case with your neighbor, and don’t betray the confidence of another,
10lest one who hears it put you to shame, and your bad reputation never depart.
11A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
12As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover to an obedient ear.
13As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to those who send him; for he refreshes the soul of his masters.
14As clouds and wind without rain, so is he who boasts of gifts deceptively.
15By patience a ruler is persuaded. A soft tongue breaks the bone.
16Have you found honey? Eat as much as is sufficient for you, lest you eat too much, and vomit it.
17Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house, lest he be weary of you, and hate you.
18A man who gives false testimony against his neighbor is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.
19Confidence in someone unfaithful in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a lame foot.
20As one who takes away a garment in cold weather, or vinegar on soda, so is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
21If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat. If he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
22for you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the LORD will reward you.
23The north wind produces rain; so a backbiting tongue brings an angry face.
24It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than to share a house with a contentious woman.
25Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
26Like a muddied spring and a polluted well, so is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
27It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it honorable to seek one’s own honor.
28Like a city that is broken down and without walls is a man whose spirit is without restraint.
1Like snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.
2Like a fluttering sparrow, like a darting swallow, so the undeserved curse doesn’t come to rest.
3A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools!
4Don’t answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him.
5Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.
6One who sends a message by the hand of a fool is cutting off feet and drinking violence.
7Like the legs of the lame that hang loose, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
8As one who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honor to a fool.
9Like a thorn bush that goes into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
10As an archer who wounds all, so is he who hires a fool or he who hires those who pass by.
11As a dog that returns to his vomit, so is a fool who repeats his folly.
12Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
13The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! A fierce lion roams the streets!”
14As the door turns on its hinges, so does the sluggard on his bed.
15The sluggard buries his hand in the dish. He is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.
16The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer with discretion.
17Like one who grabs a dog’s ears is one who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own.
18Like a madman who shoots torches, arrows, and death,
19is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “Am I not joking?”
20For lack of wood a fire goes out. Without gossip, a quarrel dies down.
21As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindling strife.
22The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, they go down into the innermost parts.
23Like silver dross on an earthen vessel are the lips of a fervent one with an evil heart.
24A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, but he harbors evil in his heart.
25When his speech is charming, don’t believe him, for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26His malice may be concealed by deception, but his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
27Whoever digs a pit shall fall into it. Whoever rolls a stone, it will come back on him.
28A lying tongue hates those it hurts; and a flattering mouth works ruin.
1Don’t boast about tomorrow; for you don’t know what a day may bring.
2Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.
3A stone is heavy, and sand is a burden; but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both.
4Wrath is cruel, and anger is overwhelming; but who is able to stand before jealousy?
5Better is open rebuke than hidden love.
6The wounds of a friend are faithful, although the kisses of an enemy are profuse.
7A full soul loathes a honeycomb; but to a hungry soul, every bitter thing is sweet.
8As a bird that wanders from her nest, so is a man who wanders from his home.
9Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart; so does earnest counsel from a man’s friend.
10Don’t forsake your friend and your father’s friend. Don’t go to your brother’s house in the day of your disaster. A neighbor who is near is better than a distant brother.
11Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart, then I can answer my tormentor.
12A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge; but the simple pass on, and suffer for it.
13Take his garment when he puts up collateral for a stranger. Hold it for a wayward woman!
14He who blesses his neighbor with a loud voice early in the morning, it will be taken as a curse by him.
15A continual dropping on a rainy day and a contentious wife are alike:
16restraining her is like restraining the wind, or like grasping oil in his right hand.
17Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens his friend’s countenance.
18Whoever tends the fig tree shall eat its fruit. He who looks after his master shall be honored.
19Like water reflects a face, so a man’s heart reflects the man.
20Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied; and a man’s eyes are never satisfied.
21The crucible is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but man is refined by his praise.
22Though you grind a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with grain, yet his foolishness will not be removed from him.
23Know well the state of your flocks, and pay attention to your herds,
24for riches are not forever, nor does the crown endure to all generations.
25The hay is removed, and the new growth appears, the grasses of the hills are gathered in.
26The lambs are for your clothing, and the goats are the price of a field.
27There will be plenty of goats’ milk for your food, for your family’s food, and for the nourishment of your servant girls.
1The wicked flee when no one pursues; but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
2In rebellion, a land has many rulers, but order is maintained by a man of understanding and knowledge.
3A needy man who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain which leaves no crops.
4Those who forsake the law praise the wicked; but those who keep the law contend with them.
5Evil men don’t understand justice; but those who seek the LORD understand it fully.
6Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in his ways, and he is rich.
7Whoever keeps the law is a wise son; but he who is a companion of gluttons shames his father.
8He who increases his wealth by excessive interest gathers it for one who has pity on the poor.
9He who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.
10Whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way, he will fall into his own trap; but the blameless will inherit good.
11The rich man is wise in his own eyes; but the poor who has understanding sees through him.
12When the righteous triumph, there is great glory; but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.
13He who conceals his sins doesn’t prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
14Blessed is the man who always fears; but one who hardens his heart falls into trouble.
15As a roaring lion or a charging bear, so is a wicked ruler over helpless people.
16A tyrannical ruler lacks judgment. One who hates ill-gotten gain will have long days.
17A man who is tormented by blood guilt will be a fugitive until death. No one will support him.
18Whoever walks blamelessly is kept safe; but one with perverse ways will fall suddenly.
19One who works his land will have an abundance of food; but one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.
20A faithful man is rich with blessings; but one who is eager to be rich will not go unpunished.
21To show partiality is not good, yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread.
22A stingy man hurries after riches, and doesn’t know that poverty waits for him.
23One who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than one who flatters with the tongue.
24Whoever robs his father or his mother and says, “It’s not wrong,” is a partner with a destroyer.
25One who is greedy stirs up strife; but one who trusts in the LORD will prosper.
26One who trusts in himself is a fool; but one who walks in wisdom is kept safe.
27One who gives to the poor has no lack; but one who closes his eyes will have many curses.
28When the wicked rise, men hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous thrive.
1He who is often rebuked and stiffens his neck will be destroyed suddenly, with no remedy.
2When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
3Whoever loves wisdom brings joy to his father; but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.
4The king by justice makes the land stable, but he who takes bribes tears it down.
5A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.
6An evil man is snared by his sin, but the righteous can sing and be glad.
7The righteous care about justice for the poor. The wicked aren’t concerned about knowledge.
8Mockers stir up a city, but wise men turn away anger.
9If a wise man goes to court with a foolish man, the fool rages or scoffs, and there is no peace.
10The bloodthirsty hate a man of integrity; and they seek the life of the upright.
11A fool vents all of his anger, but a wise man brings himself under control.
12If a ruler listens to lies, all of his officials are wicked.
13The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: The LORD gives sight to the eyes of both.
14The king who fairly judges the poor, his throne shall be established forever.
15The rod of correction gives wisdom, but a child left to himself causes shame to his mother.
16When the wicked increase, sin increases; but the righteous will see their downfall.
17Correct your son, and he will give you peace; yes, he will bring delight to your soul.
18Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but one who keeps the law is blessed.
19A servant can’t be corrected by words. Though he understands, yet he will not respond.
20Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
21He who pampers his servant from youth will have him become a son in the end.
22An angry man stirs up strife, and a wrathful man abounds in sin.
23A man’s pride brings him low, but one of lowly spirit gains honor.
24Whoever is an accomplice of a thief is an enemy of his own soul. He takes an oath, but dares not testify.
25The fear of man proves to be a snare, but whoever puts his trust in the LORD is kept safe.
26Many seek the ruler’s favor, but a man’s justice comes from the LORD.
27A dishonest man detests the righteous, and the upright in their ways detest the wicked.