Proverbs 25
Further Wise Sayings
of Solomon
These also are
proverbs of Solomon which
the men of Hezekiah king of
Judah copied:
2 It is the glory of
God to conceal a matter,
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 silver,
And it will go to the
silversmith for
jewelry.
5 Take away the
wicked from before the king,
And his throne will be
established in
righteousness.
6 Do not exalt
yourself in the presence of
the king,
And do not stand in
the place of the great;
7 For it is
better that he say to you,
“ Come up here,”
Than that you should
be put lower in the presence
of the prince,
Whom your eyes have
seen.
8 Do not go hastily
to court;
For what will you do
in the end,
When your neighbor has
put you to shame?
9 Debate your case
with your neighbor,
And do not disclose
the secret to another;
10 Lest he who hears
it expose your shame,
And your reputation be
ruined.
11 A word fitly
spoken is like apples
of gold
In settings of silver.
12 Like an
earring of gold and an
ornament of fine gold
Is a wise
rebuker to an obedient ear.
13 Like the cold of
snow in time of harvest
Is a faithful
messenger to those who send
him,
For he refreshes the
soul of his masters.
14 Whoever falsely
boasts of giving
Is like clouds
and wind without rain.
15 By long
forbearance a ruler is
persuaded,
And a gentle tongue
breaks a bone.
16 Have you found
honey?
Eat only as much as
you need,
Lest you be filled
with it and vomit.
17 Seldom set foot in
your neighbor’s house,
Lest he become weary
of you and hate you.
18 A man who bears
false witness against his
neighbor
Is like a club,
a sword, and a sharp arrow.
19 Confidence in an
unfaithful man in
time of trouble
Is like a bad
tooth and a foot out of
joint.
20 Like one
who takes away a garment in
cold weather,
And like
vinegar on soda,
Is one who
sings songs to a heavy
heart.
21 If your enemy is
hungry, give him bread to
eat;
And if he is thirsty,
give him water to drink;
22 For so you
will heap coals of fire on
his head,
And the LORD will
reward you.
23 The north wind
brings forth rain,
And a backbiting
tongue an angry countenance.
24 It is
better to dwell in a corner
of a housetop,
Than in a house shared
with a contentious woman.
25 As cold
water to a weary soul,
So is good news
from a far country.
26 A righteous man
who falters before the
wicked
Is like a murky
spring and a polluted well.
27 It is not
good to eat much honey;
So to seek one’s own
glory is not glory.
28 Whoever has
no rule over his own spirit
Is like a city
broken down, without walls.
