25:1 These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezeki'ah king of Judah copied. |
25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out. |
25:3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the mind of kings is unsearchable. |
25:4 Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel; |
25:5 take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness. |
25:6 Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence or stand in the place of the great; |
25:7 for it is better to be told, "Come up here," than to be put lower in the presence of the prince. What your eyes have seen |
25:8 do not hastily bring into court; for what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame? |
25:9 Argue your case with your neighbor himself, and do not disclose another's secret; |
25:10 lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your ill repute have no end. |
25:11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. |
25:12 Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear. |
25:13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him, he refreshes the spirit of his masters. |
25:14 Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give. |
25:15 With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone. |
25:16 If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you be sated with it and vomit it. |
25:17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house, lest he become weary of you and hate you. |
25:18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow. |
25:19 Trust in a faithless man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips. |
25:20 He who sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, and like vinegar on a wound. |
25:21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; |
25:22 for you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the LORD will reward you. |
25:23 The north wind brings forth rain; and a backbiting tongue, angry looks. |
25:24 It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a contentious woman. |
25:25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country. |
25:26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked. |
25:27 It is not good to eat much honey, so be sparing of complimentary words. |
25:28 A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls. |