Proverbs 25
25
1These also are Solomon’s proverbs that were copied by the men of King Hezekiah of Judah.
Advice for Kings
2It is the glory of God to hide things
but the glory of kings to investigate them.
3 ⌞Like⌟ the high heavens and the deep earth,
so the mind of kings is unsearchable.
4Take the impurities out of silver,
and a vessel is ready for the silversmith to mold.
5Take a wicked person away from the presence of a king,
and justice will make his throne secure.
6Do not brag about yourself in front of a king
or stand in the spot that belongs to notable people,
7because it is better to be told, “Come up here,”
than to be put down in front of a prince
whom your eyes have seen.
8Do not be in a hurry to go to court.
What will you do in the end if your neighbor disgraces you?
9Present your argument to your neighbor,
but do not reveal another person’s secret.
10Otherwise, when he hears about it, he will humiliate you,
and his evil report about you will never disappear.
11 ⌞Like⌟ golden apples in silver settings,
⌞so⌟ is a word spoken at the right time.
12 ⌞Like⌟ a gold ring and a fine gold ornament,
⌞so⌟ is constructive criticism to the ear of one who listens.
13Like the coolness of snow on a harvest day,
⌞so⌟ is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him:
He refreshes his masters.
14 ⌞Like⌟ a dense fog or a dust storm,
⌞so⌟ is a person who brags about a gift that he does not give.
15With patience you can persuade a ruler,
and a soft tongue can break bones.
16When you find honey, eat only as much as you need.
Otherwise, you will have too much and vomit.
17Do not set foot in your neighbor’s house too often.
Otherwise, he will see too much of you and hate you.
18 ⌞Like⌟ a club and a sword and a sharp arrow,
⌞so⌟ is a person who gives false testimony against his neighbor.
19 ⌞Like⌟ a broken tooth and a lame foot,
⌞so⌟ is confidence in an unfaithful person in a ⌞time of⌟ crisis.
20 ⌞Like⌟ taking off a coat on a cold day
or pouring vinegar on baking soda,
so is singing songs to one who has an evil heart.
21If your enemy is hungry, give him some food to eat,
and if he is thirsty, give him some water to drink.
22 ⌞In this way⌟ you will make him feel guilty and ashamed,
and the Lord will reward you.
23 ⌞As⌟ the north wind brings rain,
so a whispering tongue brings angry looks.
24Better to live on a corner of a roof
than to share a home with a quarreling woman.
25 ⌞Like⌟ cold water to a thirsty soul,
so is good news from far away.
26 ⌞Like⌟ a muddied spring and a polluted well,
⌞so⌟ is a righteous person who gives in to a wicked person.
27Eating too much honey is not good,
and searching for honor is not honorable.
28 ⌞Like⌟ a city broken into ⌞and⌟ left without a wall,
⌞so⌟ is a person who lacks self-control.
Currently Selected:
Proverbs 25: GW
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
GOD'S WORD® Translation ©1995, 2003, 2013, 2014, 2019, 2020 by God's Word to the Nations Mission Society. All rights reserved.
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:
:
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.