Proverbs 25
Darby Translation
25 These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah transcribed.
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing; but the glory of kings is to search out a thing.
3 The heavens for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4 Take away the dross from the silver, and there cometh forth a vessel for the refiner:
5 take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
6 Put not thyself forward in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of the great;
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 see.
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, but reveal not the secret of another;
10 lest he that heareth [it] disgrace thee, and thine evil report turn not away.
11 [As] apples of gold in pictures of silver, is a word spoken in season.
12 An ear-ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, is a wise reprover upon an attentive 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 Clouds and wind without rain, [so] is a man that boasteth himself of a false gift.
15 By long forbearing is a ruler persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
16 Hast thou found honey? Eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be surfeited therewith, and vomit it.
17 Let thy foot be seldom in thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee and hate thee.
18 A maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow, is a man that beareth false witness against his neighbour.
19 A broken tooth, and a tottering foot, is confidence in an unfaithful [man] in the day of trouble.
20 [As] he that taketh off a garment in cold weather, [and as] vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to a sad 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 Jehovah shall reward thee.
23 The north wind bringeth forth rain, and the angry countenance a backbiting tongue.
24 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a contentious woman, and a house in common.
25 [As] cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
26 A troubled fountain, and a defiled well, is a righteous [man] that giveth way before the wicked.
27 It is not good to eat much honey; and to search into weighty matters is [itself] a weight.
28 He that hath no rule over his own spirit is [as] a city broken down, without walls.
Proverbs 25
International Standard Version
More Proverbs from Solomon
25 Here are some more proverbs by Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, transcribed.
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter,
and the glory of kings to investigate a matter.
3 Just as the heavens are high
and earth is deep,
so the heart of a king is unfathomable.
4 Purge the dross from the silver,
and material for[a] a vessel comes forth for the silversmith.
5 Purge the wicked from the king’s presence,
and his throne will be established in righteousness.
6 Don’t magnify yourself in the presence of a king,
and don’t pretend to be in the company of famous men,
7 for it is better that it be told you, “Come up here,”
than for you to be placed lower
in the presence of an official.
What you’ve seen with your own eyes,
8 don’t be in a hurry to argue in court.
Otherwise, what will you do later on
when your neighbor humiliates you?
9 Instead, take up the matter with your neighbor,
and don’t betray another person’s confidence.
10 Otherwise, anyone who hears will make you ashamed,
and your bad reputation will never leave you.
11 Like golden apples set in silver
is a word spoken at the right time.
12 Like a gold earring and a necklace of pure gold
is a wise reprover to a listening ear.
13 Like cold snow during harvest time
is a faithful messenger to those who send him;
he refreshes his masters.
14 Like clouds and winds without rain
is the man who brags
about gifts he never gave.
15 Through patience a ruler may be persuaded;
a gentle word[b] can break a bone.
16 If you find some honey,
eat only what you need.
Take too much,
and you’ll vomit.
17 Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s home;
otherwise, he’ll grow weary and hate you.
18 A club, a sword, and a sharp arrow—
that’s what a man is who lies about his neighbor.
19 A bad tooth and an unsteady foot—
that’s what confidence in an unreliable man is like
in a time of trouble.
20 Taking your coat off when it’s cold
or pouring vinegar on soda—
that’s what singing songs does to a heavy heart.
21 If your enemy hungers, give him food to eat;
and if he thirsts, give him water to drink.
22 For you’ll be piling burning coals of shame[c] on his head
and the Lord will reward you.
23 The north wind brings rain,
and a backbiting tongue an angry look.
24 It’s better to live in a corner on the roof
than in a house with a contentious woman.
25 Cold water to someone who is thirsty[d]—
that’s what good news from a distant land is.
26 A muddied spring or a polluted well—
that’s what a righteous person is
who compromises with the wicked.
27 To eat too much honey isn’t good;
and neither is it honorable to seek one’s own glory.
28 Like a city with breached walls
is a man without self-control.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 25:4 The Heb. lacks material for
- Proverbs 25:15 Lit. tongue
- Proverbs 25:22 The Heb. lacks of shame
- Proverbs 25:25 Or tired
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