Proverbs 25

More Proverbs of Solomon

1These also are aproverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied.

2It is the glory of God to bconceal things,
but the glory of kings is to csearch things out.
3As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth,
so the heart of kings is dunsearchable.
4Take away ethe dross from the silver,
and fthe smith has material for a vessel;
5take away gthe wicked from the presence of the king,
and his hthrone will be established in righteousness.
6Do not put yourself forward in the king’s presence
or stand in the place of the great,
7for iit is better to be told, “Come up here,”
than to be put lower in the presence of a noble.
What your eyes have seen
8 jdo not hastily bring into court,
for
Hebrew or else
what will you do in the end,
when your neighbor puts you to shame?
9 lArgue your case with your neighbor himself,
and do not reveal another’s secret,
10lest he who hears you bring shame upon you,
and your ill repute have no end.
11 mA word fitly spoken
is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.
12Like na gold ring or an ornament of gold
is a wise reprover to oa listening ear.
13Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest
is pa faithful messenger to those who send him;
he refreshes the soul of his masters.
14Like qclouds and wind without rain
is a man who rboasts of a gift he does not give.
15With spatience a ruler may be persuaded,
and a soft tongue will break a bone.
16If you have tfound honey, eat uonly enough for you,
lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.
17Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house,
lest he have his fill of you and hate you.
18A man who vbears false witness against his neighbor
is like a war club, or wa sword, or a sharp arrow.
19Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble
is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.
20Whoever xsings songs to a heavy heart
is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day,
and like vinegar on soda.
21 yIf your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat,
and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,
22for you will heap zburning coals on his head,
and the Lord will reward you.
23The north wind brings forth rain,
and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.
24 aaIt is better to live in a corner of the housetop
than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.
25Like cold water to aba thirsty soul,
so is acgood news from a far country.
26Like ada muddied spring or a polluted fountain
is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
27It is aenot good to eat much honey,
nor is it glorious to afseek one’s own glory.
The meaning of the Hebrew line is uncertain

28A man ahwithout self-control
is like aia city broken into and left without walls.
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