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.
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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
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.