מָשַׁל

That is why the poets say: “Come to Heshbon, let it be rebuilt; let the city of Sihon be restored.

He has made me a byword among the people, a man in whose face they spit.

He throws me into the mud, and I have become like dust and ashes.

Of David. To You, O LORD, I call; be not deaf to me, O my Rock. For if You remain silent, I will be like those descending to the Pit.

But a man, despite his wealth, cannot endure; he is like the beasts that perish.

A man who has riches without understanding is like the beasts that perish.

Answer me quickly, O LORD; my spirit fails. Do not hide Your face from me, or I will be like those who descend to the Pit.

They will all respond to you, saying, “You too have become weak, as we are; you have become like us!”

To whom will you liken Me or count Me equal? To whom will you compare Me, that we should be alike?

Therefore tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘I will put an end to this proverb, and in Israel they will no longer recite it.’ But say to them: ‘The days are at hand when every vision will be fulfilled.

Behold, all who speak in proverbs will quote this proverb about you: ‘Like mother, like daughter.’

“Son of man, pose a riddle; speak a parable to the house of Israel

“What do you people mean by quoting this proverb about the land of Israel: ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the teeth of the children are set on edge’?

As surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, you will no longer quote this proverb in Israel.

Then I said, “Ah, Lord GOD, they are saying of me, ‘Is he not just telling parables?’”

Now speak a parable to this rebellious house and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Put the pot on the fire; put it on and pour in the water.