Proverbs 25
Modern English Version
More Proverbs of Solomon
25 These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied.
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing,
but the honor of kings is to search out a matter.
3 As the heaven for height, and the earth for depth,
so the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4 Take away the dross from the silver,
and there will come forth a vessel for the refiner.
5 Take away the wicked from before the king,
and his throne will be established in righteousness.
6 Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king,
and do not stand in the place of great men;
7 for it is better that it be said to you, “Come up here,”
than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince,
whom your eyes have seen.
8 Do not go forth hastily to strive;
lest you do not know what to do in the end,
when your neighbor has put you to shame.
9 Debate your cause with your neighbor himself,
and do not disclose a secret to another;
10 lest he who hears it put you to shame,
and your reputation be ruined.
11 A word fitly spoken
is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
12 As an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold,
so is a wise reprover to an obedient ear.
13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest,
so is a faithful messenger to those who send him,
for he refreshes the soul of his masters.
14 Whoever boasts himself of a false gift
is like clouds and wind without rain.
15 By long forbearing is a prince persuaded,
and a soft tongue breaks the bone.
16 Have you found honey? Eat only as much as is sufficient for you,
lest you be filled with it and vomit it.
17 Withdraw your foot from your neighbor’s house,
lest he be weary of you and so hate you.
18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor
is like a club, 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 who takes away a garment in cold weather,
and as vinegar on soda,
so is he who sings songs to a heavy heart.
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat;
and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
22 for you will heap coals of fire upon his head,
and the Lord will reward you.
23 The north wind brings rain,
and a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.
24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop
than with a brawling woman 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 who has no rule over his own spirit
is like a city that is broken down and without walls.
Proverbs 25
New King James Version
Further Wise Sayings of Solomon
25 These(A) also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied:
2 (B)It is the glory of God to conceal a matter,
But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
3 As the heavens for height and the earth for depth,
So the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4 (C)Take away the dross from silver,
And it will go to the silversmith for jewelry.
5 Take away the wicked from before the king,
And his throne will be established in (D)righteousness.
6 Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king,
And do not stand in the place of the great;
7 (E)For it is better that he say to you,
“Come up here,”
Than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince,
Whom your eyes have seen.
8 (F)Do not go hastily to [a]court;
For what will you do in the end,
When your neighbor has put you to shame?
9 (G)Debate your case with your neighbor,
And do not disclose the secret to another;
10 Lest he who hears it expose your shame,
And [b]your reputation be ruined.
11 A word fitly (H)spoken is like apples of gold
In settings of silver.
12 Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold
Is a wise rebuker to an obedient ear.
13 (I)Like the cold of snow in time of harvest
Is a faithful messenger to those who send him,
For he refreshes the soul of his masters.
15 (L)By long forbearance a ruler is persuaded,
And a gentle tongue breaks a bone.
16 Have you found honey?
Eat only as much as you need,
Lest you be filled with it and vomit.
17 Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house,
Lest he become weary of you and hate you.
18 (M)A man who bears false witness against his neighbor
Is like a club, a sword, and a sharp arrow.
19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble
Is like a bad tooth and a foot out of joint.
20 Like one who takes away a garment in cold weather,
And like vinegar on soda,
Is one who (N)sings songs to a heavy heart.
21 (O)If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat;
And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
22 For so you will heap coals of fire on his head,
(P)And the Lord will reward you.
23 The north wind brings forth rain,
And (Q)a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.
24 (R)It is better to dwell in a corner of a housetop,
Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.
25 As cold water to a weary soul,
So is (S)good news from a far country.
26 A righteous man who falters before the wicked
Is like a murky spring and a [c]polluted well.
27 It is not good to eat much honey;
So (T)to seek one’s own glory is not glory.
28 (U)Whoever has no rule over his own spirit
Is like a city broken down, without walls.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 25:8 Lit. contend or bring a lawsuit
- Proverbs 25:10 the evil report concerning you not pass away
- Proverbs 25:26 ruined
The Holy Bible, Modern English Version. Copyright © 2014 by Military Bible Association. Published and distributed by Charisma House.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
