Proverbs 25
1 These are additional proverbs of Solomon, which were copied by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:
These are the miscellaneous instructions of Solomon, which the friends of Ezekias king of Judea copied out.
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to search it out.
The glory of God conceals a matter: but the glory of a king honours business.
3 As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings cannot be searched.
Heaven is high, and earth is deep, and a king's heart is unsearchable.
4 Remove the dross from the silver, and a vessel for a silversmith will come forth.
Beat the drossy silver, and it shall be made entirely pure.
5 Remove the wicked from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness.
Slay the ungodly from before the king, and his throne shall prosper in righteousness.
6 Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king, and do not stand in the place of great men;
Be not boastful in the presence of the king, and remain not in the places of princes;
7 for it is better that he says to you, “Come up here!” than that you should be demoted in the presence of the prince. Even what you have seen with your own eyes,
for [it is] better for you that it should be said, Come up to me, than that [one] should humble you in the presence of the prince; speak of that which your eyes have seen.
8 do not bring hastily to court. Otherwise, what will you do in the end when your neighbor puts you to shame?
Get not suddenly into a quarrel, lest you repent at last.
9 Argue your case with your neighbor without betraying another’s confidence,
Whenever your friend shall reproach you, retreat backward, despise [him] not;
10 lest the one who hears may disgrace you, and your infamy never go away.
lest your friend continue to reproach you, so your quarrel and enmity shall not depart, but shall be to you like death. Favour and friendship set [a man] free, which do you keep for yourself, lest you be made liable to reproach; but take heed to your ways peaceably.
11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
[As] a golden apple in a necklace of sardius, so [is it] to speak a [wise] word.
12 Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear.
In an ear-ring of gold a precious sardius is also set; [so is] a wise word to an obedient 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.
As a fall of snow in the time of harvest is good against heat, so a faithful messenger [refreshes] those that send him; for he helps the souls of his employers.
14 Like clouds and wind without rain is the man who boasts of gifts never given.
As winds and clouds and rains are most evident [objects], so is he that boasts of a false gift.
15 Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
In longsuffering is prosperity to kings, and a soft tongue breaks the bones.
16 If you find honey, eat just what you need, lest you have too much and vomit it up.
Having found honey, eat [only] what is enough, lest haply you be filled, and vomit it up.
17 Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, lest he grow weary and hate you.
Enter sparingly into your friend's house, lest he be satiated with your company, and hate you.
18 Like a club or sword or sharp arrow is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor.
[As] a club, and a dagger, and a pointed arrow, so also is a man who bears false witness against his friend.
19 Like a broken tooth or a foot out of joint is confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble.
The way of the wicked and the foot of the transgressor shall perish in an evil day.
20 Like one who removes a garment on a cold day or vinegar poured on a wound is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
As vinegar is bad for a sore, so trouble befalling the body afflicts the heart. As a moth in a garment, and a worm in wood, so the grief of a man hurts the heart.
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
If your enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink;
22 For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.
for so doing you shall heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward you [with] good.
23 As the north wind brings forth rain, so a backbiting tongue brings angry looks.
The north wind raises clouds; so an impudent face provokes the tongue.
24 Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
[It is] better to dwell on a corner of the roof, than with a railing woman in an open house.
25 Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land.
As cold water is agreeable to a thirsting soul, so is a good message from a land far off.
26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted well is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked.
As if one should stop a well, and corrupt a spring of water, so [is it] unseemly for a righteous man to fall before an ungodly man.
27 It is not good to eat too much honey or to search out one’s own glory.
[It is] not good to eat much honey; but it is right to honour venerable sayings.
28 Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who does not control his temper.
As a city whose walls are broken down, and which is unfortified, so is a man who does anything without counsel.
