Proverbs 25
1 These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
These, too, are parables of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, transferred.
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
It is to the glory of God to conceal a word, and it is to the glory of kings to investigate speech.
3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
Heaven above, and earth below, and the heart of kings are each unsearchable.
4 Take away the dross from the silver, and material comes out for the refiner.
Take away the tarnish from silver, and a most pure vessel will go forth.
5 Take away the wicked from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness.
Take away impiety from the face of the king, and his throne shall be made firm by justice.
6 Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king, or claim a place among great men;
Do not appear glorious before the king, and do not stand in the place of the great.
7 for it is better that it be said to you, “Come up here,” than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince, whom your eyes have seen.
For it is better that it should be said to you, “Ascend to here,” than that you should be humbled before the prince.
8 Do not be hasty in bringing charges to court. What will you do in the end when your neighbor shames you?
The things that your eyes have seen, do not offer hastily in a quarrel, lest afterward you may not be able to make amends, when you have dishonored your friend.
9 Debate your case with your neighbor, and do not betray the confidence of another,
Argue your case with your friend, and do not reveal the secret to an outsider,
10 lest one who hears it put you to shame, and your bad reputation never depart.
lest perhaps he may insult you, when he has heard it, and he might not cease to reproach you. Grace and friendship free a man; preserve these for yourself, lest you fall under reproach.
11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
Whoever speaks a word at an opportune time is like apples of gold on beds of silver.
12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover to an obedient ear.
Whoever reproves the wise and obedient ear is like an earring of gold with a shining pearl.
13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to those who send him; for he refreshes the soul of his masters.
Just like the cold of snow in a time of harvest, so also is a faithful messenger to him who sent him: he causes his soul to rest.
14 As clouds and wind without rain, so is he who boasts of gifts deceptively.
A man who boasts and does not fulfill his promises is like clouds and wind, when rain does not follow.
15 By patience a ruler is persuaded. A soft tongue breaks the bone.
By patience, a leader shall be appeased, and a soft tongue shall break hardness.
16 Have you found honey? Eat as much as is sufficient for you, lest you eat too much, and vomit it.
You have discovered honey; eat what is sufficient for you, lest perhaps, being filled up, you may vomit it.
17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house, lest he be weary of you, and hate you.
Withdraw your feet from the house of your neighbor, lest, when he has had his fill, he may hate you.
18 A man who gives false testimony against his neighbor is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.
A man who speaks false testimony against his neighbor is like a dart and a sword and a sharp arrow.
19 Confidence in someone unfaithful in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a lame foot.
Whoever sets his hopes on the unfaithful in a day of anguish is like a rotten tooth and weary foot,
20 As one who takes away a garment in cold weather, or vinegar on soda, so is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
and like one who loosens his garment in cold weather. Whoever sings verses to a wicked heart is like vinegar on baking soda. Just like a moth to a garment, and a worm to wood, so too does the sadness of a man do harm to the heart.
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat. If he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
22 for you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the LORD will reward you.
For you will gather hot coals upon his head, and the Lord will repay you.
23 The north wind produces rain; so a backbiting tongue brings an angry face.
The north wind brings forth the rain, and a sorrowful face brings forth a detracting tongue.
24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than to share a house with a contentious woman.
It is better to sit in a corner of the attic, than with an argumentative woman and in a shared house.
25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so too are good reports from a far away land.
26 Like a muddied spring and a polluted well, so is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
The just falling down before the impious is like a fountain stirred up by feet and like a corrupted spring.
27 It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it honorable to seek one’s own honor.
Just as whoever eats too much honey, it is not good for him, so also whoever is an investigator of what is majestic will be overwhelmed by glory.
28 Like a city that is broken down and without walls is a man whose spirit is without restraint.
Just like a city lying in the open and without surrounding walls, so also is a man who is unable to restrain his own spirit in speaking.
