旧约 - 箴言(Proverbs)第25章

These are more proverbs of Solomon, copied by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:
It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings.
As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
Remove the dross from the silver, and out comes material for the silversmith;
remove the wicked from the king's presence, and his throne will be established through righteousness.
Do not exalt yourself in the king's presence, and do not claim a place among great men;
it is better for him to say to you, "Come up here," than for him to humiliate you before a nobleman. What you have seen with your eyes
do not bring hastily to court, for what will you do in the end if your neighbor puts you to shame?
If you argue your case with a neighbor, do not betray another man's confidence,
or he who hears it may shame you and you will never lose your bad reputation.
A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man's rebuke to a listening ear.
Like the coolness of snow at harvest time is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the spirit of his masters.
Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of gifts he does not give.
Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
If you find honey, eat just enough--too much of it, and you will vomit.
Seldom set foot in your neighbor's house--too much of you, and he will hate you.
Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow is the man who gives false testimony against his neighbor.
Like a bad tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in times of trouble.
Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar poured on soda, is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.
As a north wind brings rain, so a sly tongue brings angry looks.
Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land.
Like a muddied spring or a polluted well is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked.
It is not good to eat too much honey, nor is it honorable to seek one's own honor.
Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.
箴言第廿五章   第 25 章 

  箴 25:1> 希西家是个什么样的君王?他有哪些政绩? 

  25:1 希西家是犹大国少数敬畏神的君王之一(有关希西家的事迹,请参王下 18-20 章;代下 29-32 章;赛 36-39 章)。虽然他的父王亚哈斯封了圣殿的门,但他修理圣殿、恢复敬拜、拆毁敬拜偶像的中心,赢得了周围列国的尊敬,其中有许多国家因此而献礼物给神。希西家让人将这些箴言抄录下来阅读是不足为奇的,因为“凡他所行的,无论是办神殿的事,是遵律法守诫命,是寻求他的神,都是尽心去行,无不亨通”(代下 31:21 )。 

  箴 25:6-7> 这两句箴言是否似曾相识?啊,想起来了── 

  25:6-7 主耶稣把这个箴言变成比喻(参路 14:7-11 )。我们不应为自己寻求尊荣,倒应把神交托的工作,安静而忠心地做好。当别人看到我们的素质后,自然会留意我们。 

  箴 25:13> 别人能放心地托付你办事吗?为什么? 

  25:13 人很难找到真正可以信靠的人。忠诚的雇员是守时、负责、诚实而辛勤工作的人。这种人极其宝贵,他能帮助雇主解除某些压力。你要找出雇主在哪方面需要你的帮助,并切实去做。 

  箴 25:18> 撒一个小谎无伤大雅嘛,为何作者看得如此严重? 

  25:18 撒谎(作假见证)是恶毒的,它的影响力有如刀剑所造成的伤痕一样永久不消。在你想说长道短的时候,想像自己正在亲自用刀剑刺伤被议论者,也许你就会闭口不语了。 

  箴 25:21-22> 为我的仇敌祝福,我大概也会做,但未必是发自内心的…… 

  25:21-22 神的回报方式最有功效,在人却很难实行。保罗在罗马书中引述了这段箴言(参罗 12:19-21 )。主耶稣在马太福音中也劝我们为逼迫我们的人祷告(参太 5:44 )。以善报恶,就是认定神会衡量一切,并倚靠祂判断是非。 

  箴 25:26> 对社会上的恶势力,你是退缩、妥协还是敢于抗争? 

  25:26 “在恶人面前退缩”就是将是非标准放在一边,向罪恶妥协。向恶人妥协的人,对人毫无帮助。 

  箴 25:27> 你怎样看待荣耀?会不会为得不到心想的荣耀而大不开心? 

  25:27 专注考究你所当得的荣耀,只会对你有害。这会令你愁苦、灰心、恼怒,却不会为你带来你认为当得的赏赐。为你未获当得的赏赐而难过,会使你失去经由努力而产生的满足感。 

  箴 25:28> 制伏己心为什么那么重要?我对此重视吗? 

  25:28 城墙虽然限制居民的出入,人们却喜欢它。因为若没有城墙,居民就容易受过路劫匪的伤害和外敌的攻击。“制伏己心”虽然会限制我们,但它也是不可缺少的。不能制伏己心,就会受到仇敌各式各样的攻击。你要将制伏己心看作是保护你的城墙。──《灵修版圣经注释》