Day 25 of Pastor Chris' Paraphrase of Proverbs Devotional

Day 25  Wise people learn who to trust. Not everyone who claims to be your friend is really your friend. Kind words are sweet to hear and most will offer to help, but you find out who you can count on through experience. Pastor Chris' Paraphrase of Proverbs 25:4, 14, 18, & 19 4 You have to remove the impurities from silver before it’s ready for the silversmith to make something useful. 14 Bragging about something you never did is like a rain cloud and winds that never refresh with rain. 18 Telling lies about people is like assaulting them with a deadly weapon. 19 Relying on an untrustworthy person when you need them is like chewing with a broken tooth or running on a sprained ankle. Test people with small challenges to see what they're made of. Are they all talk and no action? Are they honest? Can they keep a confidence? If you can't trust someone with something small, you can't trust them with something big. However, if you've found someone who is faithful with small matters, they are more likely to handle something more important. Someone who walks through fiery trials with you is a true friend. Hold on to that friendship. It's worth more than silver or gold. Prayer "Jesus, teach me who to trust. Help me be wise enough to look beyond the kind words and promises and discover who I can really count on. Help me to invest in those relationships. And help me every day to remember You are the one friend who will always be there. And may I be a true friend to You. Amen." Read Proverbs Chapter 25
New American Standard Bible	Pastor Chris’ Paraphrase
Proverbs 25 Similitudes, Instructions 1 These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, transcribed. 2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter. 3 As the heavens for height and the earth for depth, So the heart of kings is unsearchable. 4 Take away the dross from the silver, And there comes out a vessel for the smith; 5 Take away the wicked before the king, And his throne will be established in righteousness. 6 Do not claim honor in the presence of the king, And do not stand in the place of great men; 7 For it is better that it be said to you, “Come up here,” Than for you to be placed lower in the presence of the prince, Whom your eyes have seen. 8 Do not go out hastily to [a]argue your case; [b]Otherwise, what will you do in [c]the end, When your neighbor humiliates you? 9 [d]Argue your case with your neighbor, And do not reveal the secret of another, 10 Or he who hears it will reproach you, And the evil report about you will not [e]pass away. 11 Like apples of gold in settings of silver Is a word spoken in [f]right circumstances. 12 Like [g]an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold Is a wise reprover to a listening ear. 13 Like the cold of snow in the [h]time of harvest Is a faithful messenger to those who send him, For he refreshes the soul of his masters. 14 Like clouds and wind without rain Is a man who boasts [i]of his gifts falsely. 15 By [j]forbearance a ruler may be persuaded, And a soft tongue breaks the bone. 16 Have you found honey? Eat only [k]what you need, That you not have it in excess and vomit it. 17 Let your foot rarely be in your neighbor’s house, Or he will become [l]weary of you and hate you. 18 Like a club and a sword and a sharp arrow Is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor. 19 Like a bad tooth and [m]an unsteady foot Is confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble. 20 Like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar on [n]soda, Is he who sings songs to [o]a troubled heart. 21 If [p]your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; 22 For you will [q]heap burning coals on his head, And the Lord will reward you. 23 The north wind brings forth rain, And a [r]backbiting tongue, an angry countenance. 24 It is better to live in a corner of the roof Than [s]in a house shared with a contentious woman. 25 Like cold water to a weary soul, So is good news from a distant land. 26 Like a trampled spring and a [t]polluted well Is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked. 27 It is not good to eat much honey, Nor is it glory to search out [u]one’s own glory. 28 Like a city that is broken into and without walls Is a man who has no control over his spirit. Footnotes: Proverbs 25:8 Lit contend Proverbs 25:8 Lit Lest Proverbs 25:8 Lit its Proverbs 25:9 Lit Contend Proverbs 25:10 Lit return Proverbs 25:11 Lit its Proverbs 25:12 Or a nose ring Proverbs 25:13 Lit day Proverbs 25:14 Lit in a gift of falsehood Proverbs 25:15 Lit length of anger Proverbs 25:16 Lit your sufficiency Proverbs 25:17 Lit surfeited with Proverbs 25:19 Lit a slipping foot Proverbs 25:20 I.e. natron Proverbs 25:20 Lit an evil Proverbs 25:21 Lit one who hates you Proverbs 25:22 Lit snatch up Proverbs 25:23 Lit tongue of secrecy Proverbs 25:24 Lit with a woman of contentions and a house of association Proverbs 25:26 Lit ruined Proverbs 25:27 Lit their	Proverbs 25 More of Solomon’s Wise Sayings 1 Here are some more of Solomon’s proverbs that the officials of King Hezekiah of Judah copied. 2 The mysteries of the universe glorify God, but it glorifies kings to discover them. 3 If you can figure out how high are the heavens or how deep is the earth, you might understand what a king is really thinking. 4-5 You have to remove the impurities from silver before it’s ready for the silversmith to make something useful.  Remove the ungodly who influence the king and his rule will be firmly founded on righteousness. 6-7 Don’t presume you’re so important you need face time with a leader or should be honored in the halls of fame.  It’s much better to be honored with an invitation than brushed aside in front of someone more noble. 8-10 Don’t be in such a hurry to sue someone in court.  What are you gonna do if it turns out your neighbor puts you to shame?  Work it out with your neighbor in private and keep it between the two of you; otherwise, all your embarrassing faults will be dragged out for everyone to see and it will permanently damage your reputation. 11 Good advice when you need it is like a silver basket full of golden apples. 12 Wise correction to someone who listens is like gold jewelry. 13 A reliable messenger is like an ice-cold drink on a hot summer day; they refresh the spirit of their master. 14 Bragging about something you never did is like a rain cloud and winds that never refresh with rain. 15 It takes patience to persuade a person who’s in charge, but gentle persuasion can break bones. 16 If you find wild honey, don‘t eat too much; otherwise, it’ll make you sick and you’ll throw it up! 17 Don’t spend all your time at your neighbor’s house or else they’ll get sick of you. 18 Telling lies about people is like assaulting them with a deadly weapon. 19 Relying on an untrustworthy person when you need them is like chewing with a broken tooth or running on a sprained ankle. 20 Singing cheerful songs to a heavy heart is like pouring vinegar on a wound or stealing their coat on a really cold day. 21-22 If your enemies are hungry or thirsty, give them something to eat or drink. This is worse than pouring hot coals on their heads and Jehovah will reward you. 23 A north wind brings rain and whispers of gossip causes a lot of anger. 24 It’s better to live on the corner of a rooftop than in a nice house with a wife who always wants to argue. 25 Good news from a far off country is as satisfying as cold water on a thirsty day. 26 Godly people who who don’t speak up about the wrongs in their community are like a muddy spring or a polluted water system. 27 Eat too much candy and you’ll be sick.  Brag about your own honor and you’ll lose it. 28 A person with no self control is like a castle with broken down walls.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation	Pastor Chris’ Paraphrase of Proverbs (PCP) Copyright © 2018 by Chris Mullis

Proverbs Day 25

Read Proverbs 25

Wise people learn who to trust. Not everyone who claims to be your friend is really your friend. Kind words are sweet to hear and most will offer to help, but you find out who you can count on through experience.

Pastor Chris' Paraphrase of Proverbs 25:4, 14, 18, & 19

4 You have to remove the impurities from silver before it’s ready for the silversmith to make something useful.

14 Someone who makes a big deal about a gift they never really give is like rain clouds that never give any rain.

18 Telling lies about people is like assaulting them with a deadly weapon.

19 Relying on an untrustworthy person when you need them is like chewing with broken tooth or running on a sprained ankle.

Test people with small challenges to see what they're made of. Are they all talk and no action? Are they honest? Can they keep a confidence? If you can't trust someone with something small, you can't trust them with something big. However, if you've found someone who is faithful with small matters, they are more likely to handle something more important. Someone who walks through fiery trials with you is a true friend. Hold on to that friendship. It's worth more than silver or gold.

Prayer

"Jesus, teach me who to trust. Help me be wise enough to look beyond the kind words and promises and discover who I can really count on. Help me to invest in those relationships. And help me every day to remember You are the one friend who will always be there. And may I be a true friend to You. Amen."