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 heart of kings is unsearchable.
4Take away the dross from the silver,
And there cometh forth a vessel for the refiner:
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 neighbor hath put thee to shame.
9Debate thy cause with thy neighbor 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 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.
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 neighbor’s house,
Lest he be weary of thee, and hate thee.
18A man that beareth false witness against his neighbor
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 soda,
So is he that singeth songs to a heavy heart.
21If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat;
And if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
22For thou wilt heap coals of fire upon his head,
And Jehovah will reward thee.
23The north wind bringeth forth rain;
So doth a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.
24It 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.
27It is not good to eat much honey;
So for men to search out their own glory is grievous.
28He whose spirit is without restraint
Is like a city that is broken down and without walls.
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Proverbs 25: ASV
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Proverbs 25
25
Further Wise Sayings of Solomon
1These are other proverbs of Solomon that the officials of King Hezekiah of Judah copied.
2It is the glory of God to conceal things,
but the glory of kings is to search things out.
3Like the heavens for height, like the earth for depth,
so the mind of kings is unsearchable.
4Take away the dross from the silver,
and the smith has material for a vessel;
5take away the wicked from the presence of the king,
and his throne will be established in righteousness.
6Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence
or stand in the place of the great;
7for it is better to be told, “Come up here,”
than to be put lower in the presence of a noble.
What your eyes have seen
8do not hastily bring into court;
for#25.8 Cn: Heb or else what will you do in the end,
when your neighbor puts you to shame?
9Argue your case with your neighbor directly,
and do not disclose another's secret;
10or else someone who hears you will bring shame upon you,
and your ill repute will have no end.
11A word fitly spoken
is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.
12Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold
is a wise rebuke to a listening ear.
13Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest
are faithful messengers to those who send them;
they refresh the spirit of their masters.
14Like clouds and wind without rain
is one who boasts of a gift never given.
15With patience a ruler may be persuaded,
and a soft tongue can break bones.
16If you have found honey, eat only enough for you,
or else, having too much, you will vomit it.
17Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house,
otherwise the neighbor will become weary of you and hate you.
18Like a war club, a sword, or a sharp arrow
is one who bears false witness against a neighbor.
19Like a bad tooth or a lame foot
is trust in a faithless person in time of trouble.
20Like vinegar on a wound#25.20 Gk: Heb Like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, like vinegar on lye
is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
Like a moth in clothing or a worm in wood,
sorrow gnaws at the human heart.#25.20 Gk Syr Tg: Heb lacks Like a moth . . . human heart
21If your enemies are hungry, give them bread to eat;
and if they are thirsty, give them water to drink;
22for you will heap coals of fire on their heads,
and the Lord will reward you.
23The north wind produces rain,
and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.
24It is better to live in a corner of the housetop
than in a house shared with a contentious wife.
25Like cold water to a thirsty soul,
so is good news from a far country.
26Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain
are the righteous who give way before the wicked.
27It is not good to eat much honey,
or to seek honor on top of honor.
28Like a city breached, without walls,
is one who lacks self-control.
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New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989 Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved.