Proverbs 26:8

Isn’t it wheat harvest today? I will call to Yahweh, that he may send thunder and rain; and you will know and see that your wickedness is great, which you have done in Yahweh’s sight, in asking for a king.”

Like snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.

For I know your rebellion and your stiff neck. Behold, while I am yet alive with you today, you have been rebellious against Yahweh. How much more after my death?

The wicked walk on every side, when what is vile is exalted among the sons of men.

in whose eyes a vile man is despised, but who honors those who fear Yahweh; he who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and doesn’t change;

Arrogant speech isn’t fitting for a fool, much less do lying lips fit a prince.

A tyrannical ruler lacks judgment. One who hates ill-gotten gain will have long days.

For a servant when he is king, a fool when he is filled with food,

I have seen servants on horses, and princes walking like servants on the earth.

Servants rule over us. There is no one to deliver us out of their hand.

They said, “Your servant, our father, is well. He is still alive.” They bowed down humbly.

When they told it to Jotham, he went and stood on the top of Mount Gerizim and lifted up his voice, cried out, and said to them, “Listen to me, you men of Shechem, that God may listen to you.

but if not, let fire come out from Abimelech and devour the men of Shechem and the house of Millo; and let fire come out from the men of Shechem and from the house of Millo and devour Abimelech.”

Now the name of the man was Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail. This woman was intelligent and had a beautiful face; but the man was surly and evil in his doings. He was of the house of Caleb.

Please don’t let my lord pay attention to this worthless fellow, Nabal; for as his name is, so is he. Nabal is his name, and folly is with him; but I, your servant, didn’t see my lord’s young men, whom you sent.

Abigail came to Nabal; and behold, he held a feast in his house, like the feast of a king. Nabal’s heart was merry within him, for he was very drunk. Therefore she told him nothing until the morning light.

When he had brought him down, behold, they were spread around over all the ground, eating, drinking, and dancing, because of all the great plunder that they had taken out of the land of the Philistines, and out of the land of Judah.

I am weak today, though anointed king. These men, the sons of Zeruiah are too hard for me. May Yahweh reward the evildoer according to his wickedness.”

He did that which was right in Yahweh’s eyes, yet not like David his father. He did according to all that Joash his father had done.

Now after the death of Jehoiada, the princes of Judah came, and bowed down to the king. Then the king listened to them.

When Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly, because a man had come to seek the welfare of the children of Israel.

The couriers went out in haste by the king’s commandment, and the decree was given out in the citadel of Susa. The king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city of Susa was perplexed.

So Hathach went out to Mordecai, to city square which was before the king’s gate.

Hathach came and told Esther the words of Mordecai.

Why do you boast of mischief, mighty man? God’s loving kindness endures continually.

Delicate living is not appropriate for a fool, much less for a servant to have rule over princes.

He who goes about as a tale-bearer reveals secrets; therefore don’t keep company with him who opens wide his lips.

A lying tongue hates those it hurts; and a flattering mouth works ruin.

A needy man who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain which leaves no crops.

A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.

If a ruler listens to lies, all of his officials are wicked.

A servant can’t be corrected by words. Though he understands, yet he will not respond.

The people will be oppressed, everyone by another, and everyone by his neighbor. The child will behave himself proudly against the old man, and the wicked against the honorable.

He will corrupt those who do wickedly against the covenant by flatteries; but the people who know their God will be strong, and take action.

They will eat, and not have enough. They will play the prostitute, and will not increase; because they have abandoned giving to Yahweh.

Don’t rejoice, Israel, to jubilation like the nations; for you were unfaithful to your God. You love the wages of a prostitute at every grain threshing floor.

“Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, living in luxury every day.

In Hades, he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far off, and Lazarus at his bosom.

Lament, mourn, and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to gloom.

Yes, I will make every effort that you may always be able to remember these things even after my departure.

A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools!