Proverbs 25:1-28
25 These also are the proverbs of Solʹo·mon,+ which the men of Hez·e·kiʹah+ the king of Judah transcribed:*
2 It is the glory of God to keep a matter secret,+And the glory of kings is to search through a matter.
3 As the heavens are high and the earth is deep,So the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4 Remove the dross from the silver,And it will emerge completely refined.+
5 Remove the wicked one from the king’s presence,And his throne will be firmly established in righteousness.+
6 Do not honor yourself before the king,+And do not take a place among the prominent,+
7 For it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,”
Than to humiliate you in the presence of a noble.+
8 Do not rush into a legal dispute,For what will you do later if your neighbor humiliates you?+
9 Plead your case with your neighbor,+But do not reveal what you were told confidentially,*+
10 So that the one listening will not put you to shameAnd you spread a bad report* that cannot be recalled.
11 Like apples of gold in silver carvings*Is a word spoken at the right time.+
12 Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine goldIs a wise reprover to the receptive ear.+
13 Just like the coldness of snow on the day of harvestIs a faithful messenger to those who sent him,For he refreshes his master.*+
14 Like clouds and wind that bring no rainIs a man who boasts about a gift never given.*+
15 By patience a commander is won over,And a gentle* tongue can break a bone.+
16 If you find honey, eat only what you need,For if you take too much, you may vomit it up.+
17 Rarely set foot in your neighbor’s house,So that he does not get tired of you and hate you.
18 Like a war club and a sword and a sharp arrowIs a man bearing false witness against his neighbor.+
19 Like a broken tooth or an unsteady footIs confidence in an unreliable* person in times of trouble.
20 Like one who removes a garment on a cold dayAnd like vinegar poured on soda*Is the one who sings songs to a gloomy heart.+
21 If your enemy* is hungry, give him bread to eat;If he is thirsty, give him water to drink,+
22 For you will be heaping burning coals on his head,*+And Jehovah will reward you.
23 The north wind brings a downpour,And a gossiping tongue brings an angry face.+
24 Better to dwell on a corner of the roofThan in the same house with a quarrelsome* wife.+
25 Like cold water on a tired soul*Is a good report from a distant land.+
26 Like a muddied spring and a ruined wellIs a righteous person who gives in to* a wicked one.
27 It is not good to eat too much honey,+Nor is it glorious to seek one’s own glory.+
28 As a city broken through, without a wall,Is the man who cannot control his temper.*+
Footnotes
^ Or “copied and compiled.”
^ Or “the secrets of others.”
^ Or “a malicious rumor.”
^ Or “settings.”
^ Or “the soul of his master.”
^ Lit., “a gift of falsehood.”
^ Or “mild.”
^ Or possibly, “a treacherous.”
^ Or “alkali.”
^ Lit., “the one hating you.”
^ That is, to soften the person and melt his hardness.
^ Or “nagging.”
^ Or “compromises with.” Lit., “staggers before.”
^ Or “who has no restraint for his spirit.”