Proverbs 25

More Wise Sayings of Solomon

1 These are more wise sayings of Solomon, copied by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah.

2 God is honored for what he keeps secret. Kings are honored for what they can discover.

3 No one can measure the height of the skies or the depth of the earth. So also no one can understand the mind of a king.

4 Remove the scum from the silver, so the silver can be used by the silversmith.

5 Remove wicked people from the king’s presence; then his government will be honest and last a long time.

6 Don’t brag to the king and act as if you are great.

7 It is better for him to give you a higher position than to bring you down in front of the prince.
Because of something you have seen,

8 do not quickly take someone to court.
What will you do later when your neighbor proves you wrong?

9 If you have an argument with your neighbor, don’t tell other people what was said.

10 Whoever hears it might shame you, and you might not ever be respected again.

11 The right word spoken at the right time is as beautiful as gold apples in a silver bowl.

12 A wise warning to someone who will listen is as valuable as gold earrings or fine gold jewelry.

13 Trustworthy messengers refresh those who send them, like the coolness of snow in the summertime.

14 People who brag about gifts they never give are like clouds and wind that give no rain.

15 With patience you can convince a ruler, and a gentle word can get through to the hard-headed.

16 If you find honey, don’t eat too much, or it will make you throw up.

17 Don’t go to your neighbor’s house too often; too much of you will make him hate you.

18 When you lie about your neighbors, it hurts them as much as a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.

19 Trusting unfaithful people when you are in trouble is like eating with a broken tooth or walking with a crippled foot.

20 Singing songs to someone who is sad is like taking away his coat on a cold day or pouring vinegar on soda.

21 If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink.

22 Doing this will be like pouring burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.

23 As the north wind brings rain, telling gossip brings angry looks.
24 It is better to live in a corner on the roof 

25 Good news from a faraway place is like a cool drink when you are tired.

26 A good person who gives in to evil is like a muddy spring or a dirty well.

27 It is not good to eat too much honey, nor does it bring you honor to brag about yourself.
28 Those who do not control themselves are like a city whose walls are broken down.

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.