Proverbs 25

1. ¹These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
2. ²It is the glory of God to conceal a thing; but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
3. ³The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4. ⁴Take away the dross from the silver, and there cometh forth a vessel for the refiner;
5. ⁵Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
6. ⁶Glorify not thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men;
7. 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.
8. ⁸Go 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. ⁹Debate thy cause with thy neighbour, but reveal not the secret of another;
10. ¹⁰Lest he that heareth it revile thee, and thine infamy turn not away.
11. ¹¹A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
12. ¹²As an ear-ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.
13. ¹³As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to him that sendeth him; for he refresheth the soul of his master.
14. ¹⁴As vapours and wind without rain, so is he that boasteth himself of a false gift.
15. ¹⁵By long forbearing is a ruler persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
16. ¹⁶Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.
17. ¹⁷Let thy foot be seldom in thy neighbour's house; lest he be sated with thee, and hate thee.
18. ¹⁸As a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow, so is a man that beareth false witness against his neighbour.
19. ¹⁹Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
20. ²⁰As one that taketh off a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to a heavy heart.
21. ²¹If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink;
22. ²²For thou wilt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD will reward thee.
23. ²³The north wind bringeth forth rain, and a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.
24. ²⁴It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than in a house in common with a contentious woman.
25. ²⁵As cold waters to a faint soul, so is good news from a far country.
26. ²⁶As a troubled fountain, and a corrupted spring, so is a righteous man that giveth way before the wicked.
27. ²⁷It is not good to eat much honey; so for men to search out their own glory is not glory.
28. ²⁸Like a city broken down and without a wall, so is he whose spirit is without restraint.

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