25
1 These
also are proverbs
of Solomon, which
the men of
Hezekiah king of
Judah copied out.
2 It is
the glory of God
to conceal a
thing,
but the glory
of kings is
to search out
a matter.
3 As
the heavens for
height, and the
earth for depth,
so the hearts of
kings are
unsearchable.
4 Take
away the dross
from the silver,
and material comes
out for the
refiner.
5 Take
away the wicked
from the king’s
presence,
and his throne
will be
established in
righteousness.
6 Don’t exalt yourself
in the presence
of the king,
or claim a
place among great
men;
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.
8 Don’t be hasty
in bringing charges
to court.
What will you
do in the
end when your
neighbor shames you?
9 Debate
your case with
your neighbor,
and don’t betray
the confidence of
another,
10 lest
one who hears
it put you
to shame,
and your
bad reputation never depart.
11 A
word fitly spoken
is like apples
of gold in
settings of silver.
12 As
an earring of
gold, and an
ornament of fine
gold,
so is a
wise reprover to
an obedient ear.
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.
14 As
clouds and wind
without rain,
so is he who
boasts of
gifts deceptively.
15 By patience
a ruler is
persuaded.
A soft tongue
breaks the bone.
16 Have
you found honey?
Eat as much as
is sufficient for
you,
lest you eat too
much, and vomit
it.
17 Let your
foot be seldom in
your neighbor’s
house,
lest he be
weary of you,
and hate you.
18 A
man who gives
false testimony
against his
neighbor
is like a club,
a sword, or
a sharp arrow.
19 Confidence
in someone unfaithful in
time of trouble
is like a bad
tooth or a lame
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.
21 If your
enemy is hungry,
give him food
to eat.
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.
23 The
north wind produces
rain;
so a backbiting
tongue brings an
angry face.
24 It
is better to
dwell in the
corner of the
housetop
than to share a
house with a
contentious woman.
25 Like
cold water to
a thirsty soul,
so is good
news from a
far country.
26 Like
a muddied spring
and a polluted
well,
so is a
righteous man who
gives way before
the wicked.
27 It
is not good
to eat much honey,
nor is it
honorable to seek
one’s own honor.
28 Like
a city that
is broken down
and without walls
is a man whose
spirit is
without restraint.