Proverbs 25

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Proverbs 25 – New International Version (NIV)

More Proverbs of Solomon

  1. These are more proverbs of Solomon, compiled by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:
  2. It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings.
  3. As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
  4. Remove the dross from the silver, and a silversmith can produce a vessel;
  5. remove wicked officials from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established through righteousness.
  6. Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence, and do not claim a place among his great men;
  7. it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,” than for him to humiliate you before his nobles. What you have seen with your eyes
  8. do not bring[a] hastily to court, for what will you do in the end if your neighbor puts you to shame?
  9. If you take your neighbor to court, do not betray another’s confidence,
  10. or the one who hears it may shame you and the charge against you will stand.
  11. Like apples[b] of gold in settings of silver is a ruling rightly given.
  12. Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is the rebuke of a wise judge to a listening ear.
  13. Like a snow-cooled drink at harvest time is a trustworthy messenger to the one who sends him; he refreshes the spirit of his master.
  14. Like clouds and wind without rain is one who boasts of gifts never given.
  15. Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
  16. If you find honey, eat just enough— too much of it, and you will vomit.
  17. Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house— too much of you, and they will hate you.
  18. 18 Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow is one who gives false testimony against a neighbor.
  19. Like a broken tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in a time of trouble.
  20. Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar poured on a wound, is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
  21. If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
  22. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.
  23. Like a north wind that brings unexpected rain is a sly tongue—which provokes a horrified look.
  24. Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
  25. Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land.
  26. Like a muddied spring or a polluted well are the righteous who give way to the wicked.
  27. It is not good to eat too much honey, nor is it honorable to search out matters that are too deep.
  28. Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.

Footnotes

a. Proverbs 25:8 Or nobles / on whom you had set your eyes. / 8 Do not go
b. Proverbs 25:11 Or possibly apricots

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Proverbs 25 – King James Version (KJV)

Proverbs of Solomon

  1. These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
  2. It is the glory of God to conceal a thing:  But the honour of kings is to search out a matter.
  3. The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, And the heart of kings is unsearchable.
  4. Take away the dross from the silver, And there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.
  5. Take away the wicked from before the king, And his throne shall be established in righteousness.
  6. Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, And stand not in the place of great men:
  7. For better it is 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.
  8. Go not forth hastily to strive, Lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, When thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.
  9. Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; And discover not a secret to another:
  10. Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, And thine infamy turn not away.
  11. A word fitly spoken Is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. 
  12. As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, So is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.
  13. As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, So is a faithful messenger to them that send him: For he refresheth the soul of his masters.
  14. Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift Is like clouds and wind without rain.
  15. By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, And a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
  16. Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, Lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.
  17. Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour’s house; Lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.
  18. A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour Is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
  19. Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble Is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
  20. As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, So is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.
  21. If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
  22. For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, And the LORD shall reward thee.
  23. The north wind driveth away rain: So doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.
  24. It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, Than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.
  25. As cold waters to a thirsty soul, So is good news from a far country.
  26. A righteous man falling down before the wicked Is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.
  27. It is not good to eat much honey: So for men to search their own glory is not glory.
  28. He that hath no rule over his own spirit Is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.