Proverbs 25

₂It is the glory of God to conceal things,

but the glory of kings is to search things out.

₃As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth,

so the heart of kings is unsearchable.

₄Take away the dross from the silver,

and the smith has material for a vessel;

₅take away the wicked from the presence of the king,

and his throne will be established in righteousness.

₆Do not put yourself forward in the king’s presence

or stand in the place of the great,

₇for it is better to be told, “Come up here,”

than to be put lower in the presence of a noble.

What your eyes have seen

₈do not hastily bring into court,

for what will you do in the end,

when your neighbor puts you to shame?

₉Argue 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.

₁₁A word fitly spoken

is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.

₁₂Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold

is a wise reprover to a listening ear.

₁₃Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest

is a faithful messenger to those who send him;

he refreshes the soul of his masters.

₁₄Like clouds and wind without rain

is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give.

₁₅With patience a ruler may be persuaded,

and a soft tongue will break a bone.

₁₆If you have found honey, eat only 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 bears false witness against his neighbor

is like a war club, or a 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 sings songs to a heavy heart

is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day,

and like vinegar on soda.

₂₁If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat,

and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,

₂₂for you will heap burning coals on his head,

and the Lord will reward you.

₂₃The north wind brings forth rain,

and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.

₂₄It is better to live in a corner of the housetop

than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.

₂₅Like cold water to a thirsty soul,

so is good news from a far country.

₂₆Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain

is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.

₂₇It is not good to eat much honey,

nor is it glorious to seek one’s own glory.

₂₈A man without self-control

is like a city broken into and left without walls.