Proverbs 25
25
More Wise Sayings of Solomon
1These are more wise sayings of Solomon, copied by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah.
2God is honored for what he keeps secret.
Kings are honored for what they can discover.
3No 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.
4Remove the scum from the silver,
so the silver can be used by the silversmith.
5Remove wicked people from the king’s presence;
then his government will be honest and last a long time.
6Don’t brag to the king
and act as if you are great.
7It 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,
8do not quickly take someone to court.
What will you do later
when your neighbor proves you wrong?
9If you have an argument with your neighbor,
don’t tell other people what was said.
10Whoever hears it might shame you,
and you might not ever be respected again.
11The right word spoken at the right time
is as beautiful as gold apples in a silver bowl.
12A wise warning to someone who will listen
is as valuable as gold earrings or fine gold jewelry.
13Trustworthy messengers refresh those who send them,
like the coolness of snow in the summertime.
14People who brag about gifts they never give
are like clouds and wind that give no rain.
15With patience you can convince a ruler,
and a gentle word can get through to the hard-headed.
16If you find honey, don’t eat too much,
or it will make you throw up.
17Don’t go to your neighbor’s house too often;
too much of you will make him hate you.
18When you lie about your neighbors,
it hurts them as much as a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.
19Trusting unfaithful people when you are in trouble
is like eating with a broken tooth or walking with a crippled foot.
20Singing songs to someone who is sad
is like taking away his coat on a cold day
or pouring vinegar on soda.
21If your enemy is hungry, feed him.
If he is thirsty, give him a drink.
22Doing this will be like pouring burning coals on his head,
and the Lord will reward you.
23As the north wind brings rain,
telling gossip brings angry looks.
24It is better to live in a corner on the roof
than inside the house with a quarreling wife.
25Good news from a faraway place
is like a cool drink when you are tired.
26A good person who gives in to evil
is like a muddy spring or a dirty well.
27It is not good to eat too much honey,
nor does it bring you honor to brag about yourself.
28Those who do not control themselves
are like a city whose walls are broken down.
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Proverbs 25: NCV
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The Holy Bible, New Century Version, Copyright © 2005 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 25
25
More proverbs of Solomon
1These are also proverbs of Solomon, copied by the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah:
2It is the glory of God to hide something
and the glory of kings to discover something.
3Like the high heavens and the depths of the earth,
so the mind of a king is unsearchable.
4Remove the dross from the silver,
and a vessel will come out for the refiner.
5Remove the wicked from the king’s presence,
and his throne will be established in righteousness.
6Don’t exalt yourself in the presence of the king,
or stand in the place of important people,
7because it is better that he say to you,
“Come up here,”
than to be demoted before a ruler.
What your eyes see, 8don’t be quick to quarrel over;
what will you do in the future when your neighbor shames you?
9Argue it out with your neighbor,
and don’t give away someone’s secret.
10Otherwise, the one who hears it will vilify you;
the slander against you will never stop.
11Words spoken at the right time
are like gold apples in a silver setting.
12Wise correction to an ear that listens
is like a gold earring or jewelry of fine gold.
13Like the coolness of snow on a harvest day
are reliable messengers to those who send them;
they restore the life of their master.
14People who brag about a gift never given
are like clouds and wind that produce no rain.
15A commander can be persuaded with patience,
and a tender tongue can break a bone.
16If you find honey, eat just the right amount;
otherwise, you’ll get full and vomit it up.
17Don’t spend too much time in your neighbor’s house.
Otherwise, they’ll get fed up with you and hate you.
18People who testify falsely against their neighbors
are like a club, sword, and sharpened arrow.
19Trusting a treacherous person at a difficult time
is like having a bad tooth or a wobbly foot.
20Singing a song to a troubled heart
is like taking off a garment on a cold day
or putting vinegar on a wound.#25.20 LXX; MT vinegar on natron (a detergent)
21If your enemies are starving, feed them some bread;
if they are thirsty, give them water to drink.
22By doing this, you will heap burning coals on their heads,
and the LORD will reward you.
23The north wind stirs up rain,
and a person who plots quietly provokes angry faces.
24Better to live on the edge of a roof
than to share a house with a contentious woman.
25Good news from a distant land
is like cold water for a weary person.
26A righteous person giving in to the wicked
is like a contaminated spring or a polluted fountain.
27Eating too much honey isn’t good,
nor is it appropriate to seek honor.
28A person without self-control
is like a breached city, one with no walls.
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