Proverbs 25
1 These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah
copied out.
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing; But the glory of kings is to search
out a matter.
3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, So the heart of kings is
unsearchable.
4 Take away the dross from the silver, And there cometh forth a vessel for the
refiner:
5 Take away the wicked [from] before the king, And his throne shall be
established in righteousness.
6 Put not thyself forward in the presence of the king, And stand not in the
place of great men:
7 For better is it that it be said unto thee, Come up hither, Than that thou
shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince, Whom thine eyes have seen.
8 Go not forth hastily to strive, Lest [thou know not] what to do in the end
thereof, When thy neighbor hath put thee to shame.
9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbor [himself], And disclose not the secret of
another;
10 Lest he that heareth it revile thee, And thine infamy turn not away.
11 A word fitly spoken Is [like] apples of gold in network of silver.
12 [ As] an ear-ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, [So is] a wise
reprover upon an obedient ear.
13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, [So is] a faithful messenger to
them that send him; For he refresheth the soul of his masters.
14 [ As] clouds and wind without rain, [So is] he that boasteth himself of his
gifts falsely.
15 By long forbearing is a ruler persuaded, And a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
16 Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, Lest thou be
filled therewith, and vomit it.
17 Let thy foot be seldom in thy neighbor's house, Lest he be weary of thee, and
hate thee.
18 A man that beareth false witness against his neighbor Is a maul, and a sword,
and a sharp arrow.
19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble Is [like] a broken tooth,
and a foot out of joint.
20 [ As] one that taketh off a garment in cold weather, [and as] vinegar upon
soda, So is he that singeth songs to a heavy heart.
21 If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he be thirsty, give
him water to drink:
22 For thou wilt heap coals of fire upon his head, And Jehovah will reward thee.
23 The north wind bringeth forth rain: So doth a backbiting tongue an angry
countenance.
24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, Than with a contentious
woman in a wide house.
25 [ As] cold waters to a thirsty soul, So is good news from a far country.
26 [ As] a troubled fountain, and a corrupted spring, [So is] a righteous man
that giveth way before the wicked.
27 It is not good to eat much honey: So [for men] to search out their own glory
is grievous.
28 He whose spirit is without restraint Is [like] a city that is broken down and
without walls.