Proverbs 25

Similitudes, Instructions

1These also are 1proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, transcribed.

2It is the glory of God to 2conceal a matter, But the glory of 3kings is to search out a matter.3As the heavens for height and the earth for depth, So the heart of kings is unsearchable.4Take away the 4dross from the silver, And there comes out a vessel for the 5smith;5Take away the 6wicked before the king, And his 7throne will be established in righteousness.6Do not claim honor in the presence of the king, And do not stand in the place of great men;7For 8it is better that it be said to you, “Come up here,” Than for you to be placed lower in the presence of the prince, Whom your eyes have seen.

8Do not go out 9hastily to 10argue your case; 11Otherwise, what will you do in 12the end, When your neighbor humiliates you?91314Argue your case with your neighbor, And 15do not reveal the secret of another,10Or he who hears it will reproach you, And the evil report about you will not 16pass away.

11Like apples of gold in settings of silver Is a 17word spoken in 18right circumstances.12Like 19an 20earring of gold and an 21ornament of 22fine gold Is a wise reprover to a 23listening ear.13Like the cold of snow in the 24time of harvest Is a 25faithful messenger to those who send him, For he refreshes the soul of his masters.14Like 26clouds and 27wind without rain Is a man who boasts 28of his gifts falsely.15By 2930forbearance a ruler may be persuaded, And a soft tongue breaks the bone.16Have you 31found honey? Eat only 32what you need, That you not have it in excess and vomit it.17Let your foot rarely be in your neighbor’s house, Or he will become 33weary of you and hate you.18Like a club and a 34sword and a sharp 35arrow Is a man who bears 36false witness against his neighbor.19Like a bad tooth and 37an unsteady foot Is confidence in a 38faithless man in time of trouble.20Like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar on 39soda, Is he who sings songs to 40a troubled heart.2141If 42your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;22For you will 43heap burning coals on his head, And 44the Lord will reward you.23The north wind brings forth rain, And a 4546backbiting tongue, an angry countenance.24It is 47better to live in a corner of the roof Than 48in a house shared with a contentious woman.25Like cold water to a weary soul, So is 49good news from a distant land.26Like a 50trampled spring and a 51polluted well Is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.27It is not good to eat much honey, Nor is it glory to 52search out 53one’s own glory.28Like a 54city that is broken into and without walls Is a man 55who has no control over his spirit.