Proverbs 25

¹These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out. ²It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the glory of kings is to search out a matter. ³The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable. ⁴Take away the dross from the silver, and there cometh forth a vessel for the finer: ⁵Take away the wicked frombefore the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness. ⁶Put not thyself forward in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men: ⁷For 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. ⁸Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know notwhat to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame. ⁹Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself, and disclose not the secret of another: ¹⁰Lest he that heareth it revile thee, and thine infamy turn not away. ¹¹A word fitly spoken is likeapples of gold in baskets of silver. ¹²Asan earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so isa wise reprover upon an obedient ear. ¹³As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so isa faithful messenger to them that send him; for he refresheth the soul of his masters. ¹⁴Asclouds and wind without rain, so ishe that boasteth himself of his gifts falsely. ¹⁵By long forbearing is a ruler persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone. ¹⁶Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee; lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it. ¹⁷Let thy foot be seldom in thy neighbour’s house; lest he be weary of thee, and hate thee. ¹⁸A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow. ¹⁹Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is likea broken tooth, and a foot out of joint. ²⁰Asone that taketh off a garment in cold weather, and asvinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart. ²¹If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: ²²For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee. ²³The north wind bringeth forth rain: so doth a backbiting tongue an angry countenance. ²⁴It is better to dwell in the comer of the housetop, than with a contentious woman in a wide house. ²⁵Ascold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country. ²⁶Asa troubled fountain, and a corrupted spring, so isa righteous man that giveth way before the wicked. ²⁷It is not good to eat much honey: so for mento search out their own glory is notglory. ²⁸He whose spirit is without restraint is likea city that is broken down and hath no wall.