Proverbs 25:8-18

English Standard Version

⁸    ^(A)do not hastily bring into court,^[a]
for^[b] what will you do in the end,
    when your neighbor puts you to shame?
⁹^(B)Argue your case with your neighbor himself,
    and do not reveal another's secret,
¹⁰lest he who hears you bring shame upon you,
    and your ill repute have no end.

¹¹^(C)A word fitly spoken
    is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.
¹²Like ^(D)a gold ring or an ornament of gold
    is a wise reprover to ^(E)a listening ear.
¹³Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest
    is ^(F)a faithful messenger to those who send him;
    he refreshes the soul of his masters.
¹⁴Like ^(G)clouds and wind without rain
    is a man who ^(H)boasts of a gift he does not give.

¹⁵With ^(I)patience a ruler may be persuaded,
    and a soft tongue will break a bone.
¹⁶If you have ^(J)found honey, eat ^(K)only enough for you,
    lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.
¹⁷Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house,
    lest he have his fill of you and hate you.
¹⁸A man who ^(L)bears false witness against his neighbor
    is like a war club, or ^(M)a sword, or a sharp arrow.