People really bragged about how good-looking Absalom was. No man in Israel was as handsome as Absalom. There was not a blemish on Absalom—from his head to his feet.
Proverbs 27:21 - Easy To Read Version People use fire to make gold and silver pure. In the same way, a man is tested by the praise people give him. Tuilleadh leaganachaKing James Version (Oxford) 1769 As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; So is a man to his praise. Amplified Bible - Classic Edition As the refining pot for silver and the furnace for gold [bring forth all the impurities of the metal], so let a man be in his trial of praise [ridding himself of all that is base or insincere; for a man is judged by what he praises and of what he boasts]. American Standard Version (1901) The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; And a man is tried by his praise. Common English Bible A crucible is for silver and a furnace for gold; so are people in the presence of someone who praises them. Catholic Public Domain Version In the manner of silver being tested in the refinery, and gold in the furnace, so also is a man tested by the mouth of one who praises. The heart of the iniquitous inquires after evils, but the heart of the righteous inquires after knowledge. Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version As silver is tried in the fining-pot and gold in the furnace: so a man is tried by the mouth of him that praiseth. The heart of the wicked seeketh after evils, but the righteous heart seeketh after knowledge. |
People really bragged about how good-looking Absalom was. No man in Israel was as handsome as Absalom. There was not a blemish on Absalom—from his head to his feet.
“There are mines where people get silver\par and places where people\par melt gold to make it pure.\par
The Lord’s words are true and pure\par like silver melted in a hot fire.\par They are pure like silver that was melted and made pure seven times.\par
Gold and silver are put into fire to make them pure. But the Lord is the One who makes peoples’ hearts pure.
Then I will test those survivors. I will give them many troubles. The troubles will be like the fire a man uses to prove silver is pure. I will test them the way a person tests gold. Then they will call to me for help, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘You are my people.’ And they will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’”
He will make the Levites {\cf2\super [17]} clean. {\cf2\super [18]} He will make them pure, like silver is made pure—with fire! He will make them pure like gold and silver. Then they will bring gifts to the Lord—and they will do those things the right way.
“It is bad when all people say good things about you. Their fathers {\cf2\super [120]} always said good things about the false prophets. {\cf2\super [121]}
Why do these troubles happen? To prove that your faith is pure (true). This purity of faith is worth more than gold. Gold can be proved to be pure by fire, but gold will ruin. The purity of your faith will bring you praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ appears (comes).
My friends, don’t be surprised at the painful things that you are now suffering. Those things are testing your faith. Don’t think that something strange is happening to you.
The Philistine commanders continued to go out to fight the Israelites. But every time, David defeated them. David was Saul’s best officer! David became famous.