Proverbs 25:12-28

English Standard Version

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

¹⁵With ^(F)patience a ruler may be persuaded,
    and a soft tongue will break a bone.
¹⁶If you have ^(G)found honey, eat ^(H)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 ^(I)bears false witness against his neighbor
    is like a war club, or ^(J)a sword, or a sharp arrow.
¹⁹Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble
    is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.
²⁰Whoever ^(K)sings songs to a heavy heart
    is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day,
    and like vinegar on soda.
²¹^(L)If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat,
    and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,
²²for you will heap ^(M)burning coals on his head,
    and the Lord will reward you.
²³The north wind brings forth rain,
    and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.
²⁴^(N)It is better to live in a corner of the housetop
    than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.
²⁵Like cold water to ^(O)a thirsty soul,
    so is ^(P)good news from a far country.
²⁶Like ^(Q)a muddied spring or a polluted fountain
    is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
²⁷It is ^(R)not good to eat much honey,
    nor is it glorious to ^(S)seek one's own glory.^[a]
²⁸A man ^(T)without self-control
    is like ^(U)a city broken into and left without walls.