Proverbs 25
More Proverbs of Solomon
¹ These are additional proverbs of Solomon, which were copied by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:
² It is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to search it out.
³ As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings cannot be searched.
⁴ Remove the dross from the silver, and a vessel for a silversmith will come forth.
⁵ Remove the wicked from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness.
⁶ Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king, and do not stand in the place of great men;
⁷ for it is better to be told, “Come up here!” than to be demoted in the presence of the prince. Even what 1 you have seen with your own eyes,
⁸ do not bring hastily to court. Otherwise, what will you do in the end when your neighbor puts you to shame?
⁹ Argue your case with your neighbor without betraying another’s confidence,
¹⁰ lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your infamy never go away.
¹¹ A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
¹² Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear.
¹³ Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.
¹⁴ Like clouds and wind without rain is the man who boasts of gifts never given.
¹⁵ Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
¹⁶ If you find honey, eat just what you need, lest you have too much and vomit it up.
¹⁷ Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, lest he grow weary and hate you.
¹⁸ Like a club or sword or sharp arrow is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor.
¹⁹ Like a broken tooth or a foot out of joint is confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble.
²⁰ Like one who removes a garment on a cold day or vinegar poured on a wound 2 is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
²¹ If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
²² For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head,3 and the LORD will reward you.
²³ As the north wind brings forth rain, so a backbiting tongue brings angry looks.
²⁴ Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
²⁵ Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land.
²⁶ Like a muddied spring or a polluted well is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked.
²⁷ It is not good to eat too much honey or to search out one’s own glory.
²⁸ Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who does not control his temper.