Proverbs 25
1 These are additional proverbs of Solomon, which were copied by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:
These are also parables of Solomon, which the men of Ezechias king of Juda copied out.
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to search it out.
It is the glory of God to conceal the word, and the glory of kings to search out the speech.
3 As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings cannot be searched.
The heaven above, and the earth beneath, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4 Remove the dross from the silver, and a vessel for a silversmith will come forth.
Take away the rust from silver, and there shall come forth a most pure vessel:
5 Remove the wicked from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness.
Take away wickedness from the face of the king, and his throne shall be established with justice.
6 Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king, and do not stand in the place of great men;
Appear not glorious before the king, and stand not in the place of great men.
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 that it should be said to thee: Come up hither; than that thou shouldst be humbled before the prince.
8 do not bring hastily to court. Otherwise, what will you do in the end when your neighbor puts you to shame?
The things which thy eyes have seen, utter not hastily in a quarrel: lest afterward thou mayst not be able to make amends, when thou hast dishonoured thy friend.
9 Argue your case with your neighbor without betraying another’s confidence,
Treat thy cause with thy friend, and discover not the secret to a stranger:
10 lest the one who hears may disgrace you, and your infamy never go away.
Lest he insult over thee, when he hath heard it, and cease not to upbraid thee. Grace and friendship deliver a man: keep these for thyself, lest thou fall under reproach.
11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
To speak a word in due time, is like apples of gold on beds of silver.
12 Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear.
As an earring of gold and a bright pearl, so is he that reproveth the wise, and the 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 the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to him that sent him, for he refresheth his soul.
14 Like clouds and wind without rain is the man who boasts of gifts never given.
As clouds, and wind, when no rain followeth, so is the man that boasteth, and doth not fulfill his promises.
15 Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
By patience a prince shall be appeased, and a soft tongue shall break hardness.
16 If you find honey, eat just what you need, lest you have too much and vomit it up.
Thou hast found honey, eat what is sufficient for thee, lest being glutted therewith thou vomit it up.
17 Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, lest he grow weary and hate you.
Withdraw thy foot from the house of thy neighbour, lest having his fill he hate thee.
18 Like a club or sword or sharp arrow is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor.
A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour, is like a dart and a sword and a sharp arrow.
19 Like a broken tooth or a foot out of joint is confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble.
To trust to an unfaithful man in the time of trouble, is like a rotten tooth, and weary foot,
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.
And one that looseth his garment in cold weather. As vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to a very evil heart. As a moth doth by a garment, and a worm by the wood: so the sadness of a man consumeth the heart.
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
If thy enemy be hungry, give him to eat: if he thirst, give him water to drink:
22 For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.
For thou shalt heap hot coals upon his head, and the Lord will reward thee.
23 As the north wind brings forth rain, so a backbiting tongue brings angry looks.
The north wind driveth away rain, as doth a sad countenance a backbiting tongue.
24 Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
It is better to sit in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman, and in a common house.
25 Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land.
As cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good tidings from a far country.
26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted well is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked.
A just man falling down before the wicked, is as a fountain troubled with the foot, and a corrupted spring.
27 It is not good to eat too much honey or to search out one’s own glory.
As it is not good for a man to eat much honey, so he that is a searcher of majesty, shall be overwhelmed by glory.
28 Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who does not control his temper.
As a city that lieth open and is not compassed with walls, so is a man that cannot refrain his own spirit in speaking.
