Proverbs 25
Proverbs of Solomon Collected by Hezekiah
1 These also are proverbs of Solomon,
which the men of King Hezekiah of Judah copied:s
2 It is the glory of Gods to conceals a matter,
and it is the glory of a king to search out a matter.
3 As the heaven is hight and the earth is deep
so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.s
4 Remove the dross from the silver,
and materialt for the silversmith will emerge;
5 remove the wicked from before the king,s
and his thrones will be established in righteousness.s
6 Do not honor yourself before the king,
and do not stand in the place of great men;
7 for it is better for himt to say to you, “Come up here,”s
than to put you lowert before a prince,
whom your eyes have seen.s
8 Do not go out hastily to litigation,ts
ort what will you do afterward
when your neighbor puts you to shame?
9 When you argue a caset with your neighbor,
do not reveal the secret of another person,s
10 lest the one who hears it put you to shame
and your infamyt will never go away.
11 Like apples of gold in settings of silver,s
so is a word skillfully spoken.t
12 Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold,s
so is a wise reprover to the ear of the one who listens.t
13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest,s
so is a faithful messenger to those who send him,
for he refreshes the heartt of his masters.
14 Like cloudy skies and wind that produce no rain,s
so is the one who boastst of a gift not given.t
15 Through patiencet a ruler can be persuaded,t
and a soft tonguet can break a bone.s
16 When you findt honey, eat only what is sufficient for you,
lest you become stuffedt with it and vomit it up.s
17 Don’t set foot too frequentlyt in your neighbor’s house,
lest he become wearyt of you and hate you.
18 Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow,s
so is the one who testifies againstt his neighbor as a false witness.t
19 Like a bad tooth or a foot out of joint,s
so is confidencet in an unfaithful person at the time of trouble.t
20 Like one who takes off a garment on a cold day,s
or like vinegar poured on soda,t
so is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.s
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat,
and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,
22 for you will heap coals of fire on his head,s
and the Lord will reward you.s
23 The north winds brings forth rain,
and a gossiping tonguet brings fortht an angry look.s
24 It is better to live on a corner of the housetop
than in a house in company with a quarrelsome wife.t
25 Like cold water to a weary person,t
so is good news from a distant land.s
26 Like a muddiedt spring and a pollutedt well,
so is a righteous person who gives wayt before the wicked.
27 It is not goods to eat too much honey,
nor is it honorable for people to seek their own glory.t
28 Like a city that is broken down and without a wall,
so is a person who cannot control his temper.t
PROVERBS 25
More of //Solomon's Wise Sayings
1 Here are some 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 t Don't try to seem important
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 jewelry 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 t If your enemies are hungry,
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 garbage
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.