Proverbs 25
25
1 THESE ARE also the proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied: [I Kings 4:32.]
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the glory of kings is to search out a thing. [Deut. 29:29; Rom. 11:33.]
3 As the heavens for height and the earth for depth, so the hearts and minds of kings are unsearchable.
4 Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth [the material for] a vessel for the silversmith [to work up]. [II Tim. 2:21.]
5 Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation).
6 Be not forward (self-assertive and boastfully ambitious) in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men;
7 For better it is that it should be said to you, Come up here, than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince, whose eyes have seen you. [Luke 14:8-10.]
8 Rush not forth soon to quarrel [before magistrates or elsewhere], lest you know not what to do in the end when your neighbor has put you to shame. [Prov. 17:14; Matt. 5:25.]
9 Argue your cause with your neighbor himself; discover not and disclose not another's secret, [Matt. 18:15.]
10 Lest he who hears you revile you and bring shame upon you and your ill repute have no end.
11 A word fitly spoken and in due season is like apples of gold in settings of silver. [Prov. 15:23; Isa. 50:4.]
12 Like an earring or nose ring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise reprover to an ear that listens and obeys.
13 Like the cold of snow [brought from the mountains] in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to those who send him; for he refreshes the life of his masters.
14 Whoever falsely boasts of gifts [he does not give] is like clouds and wind without rain. [Jude 12.]
15 By long forbearance and calmness of spirit a judge or ruler is persuaded, and soft speech breaks down the most bonelike resistance. [Gen. 32:4; I Sam. 25:24; Prov. 15:1; 16:14.]
16 Have you found [pleasure sweet like] honey? Eat only as much as is sufficient for you, lest, being filled with it, you vomit it.
17 Let your foot seldom be in your neighbor's house, lest he become tired of you and hate you.
18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a heavy sledgehammer and a sword and a sharp arrow.
19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth or a foot out of joint.
20 He who sings songs to a heavy heart is like him who lays off a garment in cold weather and like vinegar upon soda. [Dan. 6:18; Rom. 12:15.]
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; [Matt. 5:44; Rom. 12:20.]
22 For in doing so, you will heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord will reward you.
23 The north wind brings forth rain; so does a backbiting tongue bring forth an angry countenance.
24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than to share a house with a disagreeing, quarrelsome, and scolding woman. [Prov. 21:9.]
25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far [home] country.
26 Like a muddied fountain and a polluted spring is a righteous man who yields, falls down, and compromises his integrity before the wicked.
27 It is not good to eat much honey; so for men to seek glory, their own glory, causes suffering and is not glory.
28 He who has no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down and without walls. [Prov. 16:32.]
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Proverbs 25: AMPC
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1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation
Proverbs 25
25
More of Solomon's Proverbs
1Here are more of Solomon's proverbs, copied by men at the court of King Hezekiah of Judah.
2We honour God for what he conceals; we honour kings for what they explain.
3You never know what a king is thinking; his thoughts are beyond us, like the heights of the sky or the depths of the ocean.
4Take the impurities out of silver and the artist can produce a thing of beauty. 5Keep evil advisers away from the king and his government will be known for its justice.
6 #
Lk 14.8–10
When you stand before the king, don't try to impress him and pretend to be important. 7It is better to be asked to take a higher position than to be told to give your place to someone more important.
8Don't be too quick to go to court about something you have seen. If another witness later proves you wrong, what will you do then?
9If you and your neighbour have a difference of opinion, settle it between yourselves and do not reveal any secrets. 10Otherwise everyone will learn that you can't keep a secret, and you will never live down the shame.
11An idea well expressed is like a design of gold, set in silver.
12A warning given by an experienced person to someone willing to listen is more valuable than gold rings or jewellery made of the finest gold.
13A reliable messenger is refreshing to the one who sends him, like cold water in the heat of harvest time.
14People who promise things that they never give are like clouds and wind that bring no rain.
15Patient persuasion can break down the strongest resistance and can even convince rulers.
16Never eat more honey than you need; too much may make you vomit. 17Don't visit your neighbours too often; they may get tired of you and come to hate you.
18A false accusation is as deadly as a sword, a club, or a sharp arrow.
19Depending on an unreliable person in a crisis is like trying to chew with a loose tooth or walk with a crippled foot.
20Singing to a person who is depressed is like taking off his clothes on a cold day or like rubbing salt in a wound.
21 #
Rom 12.20
If your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them a drink. 22You will make them burn with shame, and the LORD will reward you.
23Gossip brings anger just as surely as the north wind brings rain.
24Better to live on the roof than share the house with a nagging wife.
25Finally, hearing good news from a distant land is like a drink of cold water when you are dry and thirsty.
26A good person who gives in to someone who is evil reminds you of a polluted spring or a poisoned well.
27Too much honey is bad for you, and so is trying to win too much praise.#25.27 Probable text and so… praise; Hebrew unclear.
28If you cannot control your anger, you are as helpless as a city without walls, open to attack.
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Good News Bible with Deuterocanonicals/Apocrypha. Scripture taken from the Good News Bible (r) (Today's English Version Second Edition, UK/British Edition). Copyright © 1992 British & Foreign Bible Society. Used by permission.