Proverbs 25
25
More Wise Sayings From Solomon
1These are some more wise sayings from Solomon. These proverbs were copied by servants of Hezekiah, the king of Judah.
2We honor God for the things he keeps secret. But we honor kings for the things they can discover.
3We cannot discover how high the sky is above us or how deep the earth is below. The same is true with the minds of kings. We cannot understand them.
4Remove the worthless things from silver to make it pure, and a worker can make something beautiful. 5Take the evil advisors away from a king, and goodness will make his kingdom strong.
6Don’t brag about yourself before the king and pretend you are someone important. 7It is much better for the king to invite you to take a more important position than to embarrass you in front of his officials.
8Don’t be too quick to tell a judge about something you saw. You will be embarrassed if someone else proves you wrong.
9If you want to tell your friends about your own problems, tell them. But don’t discuss what someone told you in private. 10Whoever hears it will lose their respect for you and will never trust you again.
11Saying the right thing at the right time is like a golden apple in a silver setting. 12Wise advice to a listening ear is like gold earrings or fine jewelry.
13To his master who sent him, a messenger who can be trusted is as refreshing as a drink of cold water on a hot summer day.#25:13 drink … day Literally, “as the cold snow at harvest time.” This probably refers to snow or ice brought down from Mt. Hermon in Lebanon.
14People who promise to give gifts but never give them are like clouds and wind that bring no rain.
15With patience, you can make anyone change their thinking, even a ruler. Gentle speech is very powerful.
16Honey is good, but don’t eat too much of it, or you will be sick. 17And don’t visit your neighbors’ homes too often, or they will begin to hate you.
18A person who gives false testimony against a neighbor is as deadly as a club, a sword, or a very sharp arrow. 19Never depend on a liar in times of trouble. It’s like chewing with a bad tooth or walking with a crippled foot.
20Singing happy songs to a sad person is as foolish as taking a coat off on a cold day or mixing soda and vinegar.
21If your enemies are hungry, give them something to eat. If they are thirsty, give them some water. 22This will make them feel the burning pain of shame,#25:22 This … shame Literally, “for you will heap coals of fire on his head.” and the Lord will reward you for being good to them.
23Just as wind blowing from the north brings rain, telling secrets brings anger.
24It is better to live in a small corner of the roof than to share the house with a woman who is always arguing.
25Good news from a faraway place is like a cool drink of water when you are hot and thirsty.
26Good people who don’t stand strong against evil are like springs that have been polluted or pools that have turned dirty and muddy.
27Just as eating too much honey is not good, it is not good for people to always be looking for honor.
28People who cannot control themselves are like cities without walls to protect them.
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© 1987, 2004 Bible League International
Proverbs 25
25
Further Wise Sayings of Solomon
1These#1 Kin. 4:32 also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied:
2#Deut. 29:29; Rom. 11:33It is the glory of God to conceal a matter,
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.
4#2 Tim. 2:21Take away the dross from silver,
And it will go to the silversmith for jewelry.
5Take away the wicked from before the king,
And his throne will be established in #Prov. 16:12; 20:8righteousness.
6Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king,
And do not stand in the place of the great;
7#Luke 14:7–11For it is better that he say to you,
“Come up here,”
Than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince,
Whom your eyes have seen.
8#Prov. 17:14; Matt. 5:25Do not go hastily to court;
For what will you do in the end,
When your neighbor has put you to shame?
9#(Matt. 18:15)Debate your case with your neighbor,
And do not disclose the secret to another;
10Lest he who hears it expose your shame,
And your reputation be ruined.
11A word fitly #Prov. 15:23; Is. 50:4spoken is like apples of gold
In settings of silver.
12Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold
Is a wise rebuker to an obedient ear.
13#Prov. 13:17Like the cold of snow in time of harvest
Is a faithful messenger to those who send him,
For he refreshes the soul of his masters.
14#Prov. 20:6Whoever falsely boasts of giving
Is like #Jude 12clouds and wind without rain.
15#Prov. 15:1By long forbearance a ruler is persuaded,
And a gentle tongue breaks a bone.
16Have you found honey?
Eat only as much as you need,
Lest you be filled with it and vomit.
17Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house,
Lest he become weary of you and hate you.
18#Ps. 57:4; Prov. 12:18A man who bears false witness against his neighbor
Is like a club, a sword, and a sharp arrow.
19Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble
Is like a bad tooth and a foot out of joint.
20Like one who takes away a garment in cold weather,
And like vinegar on soda,
Is one who #Dan. 6:18sings songs to a heavy heart.
21#Ex. 23:4, 5; 2 Kin. 6:22; 2 Chr. 28:15; Matt. 5:44; Rom. 12:20If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat;
And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
22For so you will heap coals of fire on his head,
#2 Sam. 16:12; (Matt. 6:4, 6)And the Lord will reward you.
23The north wind brings forth rain,
And #Ps. 101:5a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.
24#Prov. 19:13It is better to dwell in a corner of a housetop,
Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.
25As cold water to a weary soul,
So is #Prov. 15:30good news from a far country.
26A righteous man who falters before the wicked
Is like a murky spring and a polluted well.
27It is not good to eat much honey;
So #Prov. 27:2; (Luke 14:11)to seek one’s own glory is not glory.
28#Prov. 16:32Whoever has no rule over his own spirit
Is like a city broken down, without walls.
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The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.