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.
Currently Selected:
Proverbs 25: CEB
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
2011 Common English Bible. All rights reserved.
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.
Currently Selected:
:
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
PUBLIC DOMAIN (not copyrighted)