Proverbs 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 heart of kings is unsearchable.

4 Take away the dross from the silver, And there cometh forth a vessel for the refiner:

5 Take away the wicked from before the king, And his throne shall be established in righteousness.

6 Put not thyself forward in the presence of the king, And stand not in the place of great men:

7 For better is it that it be said unto thee, Come up hither, Than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince, Whom thine eyes have seen.

8 Go not forth hastily to strive, Lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, When thy neighbor hath put thee to shame.

9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbor himself, And disclose not the secret of another;

10 Lest he that heareth it revile thee, And thine infamy turn not away.

11 A word fitly spoken Is like apples of gold in network of silver.

12  As an ear-ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, So is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.

13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, So is a faithful messenger to them that send him; For he refresheth the soul of his masters.

14  As clouds and wind without rain, So is he that boasteth himself of his gifts falsely.

15 By long forbearing is a ruler persuaded, And a soft tongue breaketh the bone.

16 Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, Lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.

17 Let thy foot be seldom in thy neighbor’s house, Lest he be weary of thee, and hate thee.

18 A man that beareth false witness against his neighbor Is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.

19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble Is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.

20  As one that taketh off a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon soda, So is he that singeth songs to a heavy heart.

21 If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:

22 For thou wilt heap coals of fire upon his head, And Jehovah will reward thee.

23 The north wind bringeth forth rain: So doth a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.

24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, Than with a contentious woman in a wide house.

25  As cold waters to a thirsty soul, So is good news from a far country.

26  As a troubled fountain, and a corrupted spring, So is a righteous man that giveth way before the wicked.

27 It is not good to eat much honey: So for men to search out their own glory is grievous.

28 He whose spirit is without restraint Is like a city that is broken down and without walls.

Proverbs 25

More of Solomon's wise sayings

1 Here are more
of Solomon's proverbs.
They were copied by the officials
of King Hezekiah of Judah.

2 God is praised
for being mysterious;
rulers are praised
for explaining mysteries.

3 Who can fully understand
the thoughts of a ruler?
They reach beyond the sky
and go deep in the earth.

4 Silver must be purified
before it can be used
to make something of value.

5 Evil people must be removed
before anyone can rule
with justice.

6 Don't try to seem importantt
in the court of a ruler.

7 It's better for the ruler
to give you a high position
than for you to be embarrassed
in front of royal officials.
Be sure you are right

8 before you sue someone,
or you might lose your case
and be embarrassed.

9 When you and someone else
can't get along,
don't gossip about it.t

10 Others will find out,
and your reputation
will then be ruined.

11 The right word
at the right time
is like precious gold
set in silver.

12 Listening to good advice
is worth much more
than jewellery made of gold.

13 A messenger you can trust
is just as refreshing
as cool water in summer.

14 Broken promises
are worse than rain clouds
that don't bring rain.

15 Patience and gentle talk
can convince a ruler
and overcome any problem.

16 Eating too much honey
can make you sick.

17 Don't visit friends too often,
or they will get tired of it
and start hating you.

18 Telling lies about friends
is like attacking them
with clubs and swords
and sharp arrows.

19 A friend you can't trust
in times of trouble
is like having a toothache
or a sore foot.

20 Singing to someone
in deep sorrow
is like pouring vinegar
in an open cut.t

21 If your enemies are hungry,t
give them something to eat.
And if they are thirsty,
give them something
to drink.

22 This will be the same
as piling burning coals
on their heads.
And the Lord
will reward you.

23 As surely as rain blows in
from the north,
anger is caused
by cruel words.

24 It's better to stay outside
on the roof of your house
than to live inside
with a nagging wife.

25 Good news from far away
refreshes like cold water
when you are thirsty.

26 When a good person gives in
to the wicked,
it's like dumping rubbish
in a stream of clear water.

27 Don't eat too much honey
or always want praise.t

28 Losing self-control
leaves you as helpless
as a city without a wall.