Proverbs 25
25
More Proverbs of Solomon
1These are more proverbs of Solomon, collected by the advisers of King Hezekiah of Judah.
2It is God’s privilege to conceal things
and the king’s privilege to discover them.
3No one can comprehend the height of heaven, the depth of the earth,
or all that goes on in the king’s mind!
4Remove the impurities from silver,
and the sterling will be ready for the silversmith.
5Remove the wicked from the king’s court,
and his reign will be made secure by justice.
6Don’t demand an audience with the king
or push for a place among the great.
7It’s better to wait for an invitation to the head table
than to be sent away in public disgrace.
Just because you’ve seen something,
8don’t be in a hurry to go to court.
For what will you do in the end
if your neighbor deals you a shameful defeat?
9When arguing with your neighbor,
don’t betray another person’s secret.
10Others may accuse you of gossip,
and you will never regain your good reputation.
11Timely advice is lovely,
like golden apples in a silver basket.
12To one who listens, valid criticism
is like a gold earring or other gold jewelry.
13Trustworthy messengers refresh like snow in summer.
They revive the spirit of their employer.
14A person who promises a gift but doesn’t give it
is like clouds and wind that bring no rain.
15Patience can persuade a prince,
and soft speech can break bones.
16Do you like honey?
Don’t eat too much, or it will make you sick!
17Don’t visit your neighbors too often,
or you will wear out your welcome.
18Telling lies about others
is as harmful as hitting them with an ax,
wounding them with a sword,
or shooting them with a sharp arrow.
19Putting confidence in an unreliable person in times of trouble
is like chewing with a broken tooth or walking on a lame foot.
20Singing cheerful songs to a person with a heavy heart
is like taking someone’s coat in cold weather
or pouring vinegar in a wound.#25:20 As in Greek version; Hebrew reads pouring vinegar on soda.
21If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat.
If they are thirsty, give them water to drink.
22You will heap burning coals of shame on their heads,
and the Lord will reward you.
23As surely as a north wind brings rain,
so a gossiping tongue causes anger!
24It’s better to live alone in the corner of an attic
than with a quarrelsome wife in a lovely home.
25Good news from far away
is like cold water to the thirsty.
26If the godly give in to the wicked,
it’s like polluting a fountain or muddying a spring.
27It’s not good to eat too much honey,
and it’s not good to seek honors for yourself.
28A person without self-control
is like a city with broken-down walls.
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Proverbs 25: NLT
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Holy Bible, New Living Translation copyright 1996, 2004, 2007, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation.
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Proverbs 25
25
1These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
2It is the glory of God to conceal a thing,
but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
3As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth,
so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
4Take away the dross from the silver,
and material comes out for the refiner.
5Take away 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 claim a place among great men;
7for it is better that it be said to you, “Come up here,”
than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince,
whom your eyes have seen.
8Don’t be hasty in bringing charges to court.
What will you do in the end when your neighbor shames you?
9Debate your case with your neighbor,
and don’t betray the confidence of another,
10lest one who hears it put you to shame,
and your bad reputation never depart.
11A word fitly spoken
is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
12As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold,
so is a wise reprover to an obedient ear.
13As the cold of snow in the time of harvest,
so is a faithful messenger to those who send him;
for he refreshes the soul of his masters.
14As clouds and wind without rain,
so is he who boasts of gifts deceptively.
15By patience a ruler is persuaded.
A soft tongue breaks the bone.
16Have you found honey?
Eat as much as is sufficient for you,
lest you eat too much, and vomit it.
17Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house,
lest he be weary of you, and hate you.
18A man who gives false testimony against his neighbor
is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.
19Confidence in someone unfaithful in time of trouble
is like a bad tooth or a lame foot.
20As one who takes away a garment in cold weather,
or vinegar on soda,
so is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
21If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat.
If he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
22for you will heap coals of fire on his head,
and Yahweh will reward you.
23The north wind produces rain;
so a backbiting tongue brings an angry face.
24It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop
than to share a house with a contentious woman.
25Like cold water to a thirsty soul,
so is good news from a far country.
26Like a muddied spring and a polluted well,
so is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
27It is not good to eat much honey,
nor is it honorable to seek one’s own honor.
28Like a city that is broken down and without walls
is a man whose spirit is without restraint.
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