THE BOOK OF PROVERBS

 

Proverbs 25

1 ¶ These are also proverbs of Solomon, which were copied by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah.

2 ¶ It is the glory of God to conceal a matter: and the glory of kings to investigate a matter.

3 Like the high heaven, and the deep earth, the heart of kings is unsearchable.

4 ¶ Remove the impurities from the silver, and the vessel will shine for the silversmith.

5 Remove evildoers from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness.

6 ¶ Do not be boastful or assertive in the presence of the king, or stand in the place of the great:

7 For it would be better for you to be told, Come up here; than for you to be put lower in the presence of the prince whom you have seen.

8 ¶ Do not be in a hurry to take a matter to court, for what will you do afterward, if your neighbor puts you to shame.

9 Argue your cause with your neighbor himself; and do not expose another’s private matter:

10 Lest he who hears it put you to shame, and you never live it down.

11 ¶ Words spoken at the right time are like apples of gold in a picture of silver.

12 A reproof wisely spoken to a receptive ear, is like an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold.

13 ¶ A messenger who is faithful to those who send him, is like the cold of snow during the time of harvest: for he refreshes the spirit of his masters.

14 ¶ A man who boasts about a gift he does not have is like clouds and wind without rain.

15 ¶ With patience a prince can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue breaks down resistance.

16 ¶ Have you found honey? eat only what you need, lest you be filled with it, and vomit it.

17 ¶ Withdraw your foot from your neighbor’s house; lest he grow tired of you, and loath 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 unreliable man during a time of trouble is like a having a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.

20 ¶ Singing songs to someone who is in a bad mood, is like taking away his coat in cold weather, or putting vinegar on soda.

21 ¶ If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink:

22 For you will heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD will reward you.

23 ¶ As the north wind produces rain: a whispering tongue brings angry looks.

24 ¶ It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than in a wide house with a quarrelsome woman.

25 ¶ Cold water to a thirsty soul, is like good news from a distant land.

26 ¶ A righteous man who gives in to the wicked, is like a muddied spring or a polluted well.

27 ¶ It is not good for men to eat too much honey, or to seek their own glory.

28 ¶ He who has no control over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.