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.
3The heaven for height, and the earth for depth,
And the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4Take away the dross from the silver,
And there cometh forth a vessel for the finer:
5Take away the wicked from before the king,
And his throne shall be established in righteousness.
6Put not thyself forward in the presence of the king,
And stand not in the place of great men:
7For 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.
8Go not forth hastily to strive,
Lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof,
When thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.
9Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself,
And disclose not the secret of another:
10Lest he that heareth it revile thee,
And thine infamy turn not away.
11A word fitly spoken
Is like apples of gold in baskets of silver.
12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold,
So is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.
13As 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.
15By long forbearing is a ruler persuaded,
And a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
16Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee;
Lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.
17Let thy foot be seldom in thy neighbour's house;
Lest he be weary of thee, and hate thee.
18A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour
Is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
19Confidence 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 nitre,
So is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.
21If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat;
And if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
22For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head,
And the LORD shall reward thee.
23The north wind bringeth forth rain:
So doth a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.
24It is better to dwell in the comer 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.
27It is not good to eat much honey:
So for men to search out their own glory is not glory.
28He whose spirit is without restraint
Is like a city that is broken down and hath no wall.
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