How we cite our quotes: (Chapter:Verse)
Quote #7
The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, but the Lord tests the heart. (NRSV 17:3)
The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the Lord trieth the hearts. (KJV 17:3)
God tests the human heart by putting it through trials and troubles. Suffering "builds character," like people say.
Quote #8
"My child, eat honey, for it is good, and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste. Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, you will find a future, and your hope will not be cut off." (NRSV 24:13-14)
My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste: so shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul: when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off. (KJV 24:13-14).
You shouldn't see wisdom as being a particularly bitter pill—you might think that it seems like needing to eat your Brussels sprouts, but it ultimately proves sweet to the soul.
Quote #9
The leech has two daughters; "Give, give," they cry. Three things are never satisfied; four never say, "Enough": Sheol, the barren womb, the earth ever thirsty for water, and the fire that never says, "Enough." (NRSV 30:15-16)
The horseleach hath two daughters, crying, Give, give. There are three things that are never satisfied, yea, four things say not, It is enough: the grave; and the barren womb; the earth that is not filled with water; and the fire that saith not, It is enough. (KJV 30:15-16)
Proverbs advises people to know when to quit, when to set limits to their desires. These things are metaphorical examples of desires that aren't satisfied, which have no restraint.