Proverbs 25
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Further Wise Sayings of Solomon
25 These are other proverbs of Solomon that the officials of King Hezekiah of Judah copied.(A)
2 It is the glory of God to conceal things,
but the glory of kings is to search things out.(B)
3 Like the heavens for height, like the earth for depth,
so the mind of kings is unsearchable.
4 Take away the dross from the silver,
and the smith has material for a vessel;(C)
5 take away the wicked from the presence of the king,
and his throne will be established in righteousness.(D)
6 Do not put yourself forward in the king’s presence
or stand in the place of the great,
7 for it is better to be told, “Come up here,”
than to be put lower in the presence of a noble.
What your eyes have seen(E)
8 do not hastily bring into court,
for[a] what will you do in the end,
when your neighbor puts you to shame?(F)
9 Argue your case with your neighbor directly,
and do not disclose another’s secret,(G)
10 or else someone who hears you will bring shame upon you,
and your ill repute will have no end.
11 A word fitly spoken
is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.(H)
12 Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold
is a wise rebuke to a listening ear.(I)
13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest
are faithful messengers to those who send them;
they refresh the spirit of their masters.(J)
14 Like clouds and wind without rain
is one who boasts of a gift never given.(K)
15 With patience a ruler may be persuaded,
and a soft tongue can break bones.(L)
16 If you have found honey, eat only enough for you,
lest, having too much, you vomit it up.(M)
17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house,
lest the neighbor become weary of you and hate you.
18 Like a war club, a sword, or a sharp arrow
is one who bears false witness against a neighbor.(N)
19 Like a bad tooth or a lame foot
is trust in a faithless person in time of trouble.
20 Like vinegar on a wound[b]
is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
Like a moth in clothing or a worm in wood,
sorrow gnaws at the human heart.[c]
21 If your enemies are hungry, give them bread to eat,
and if they are thirsty, give them water to drink,(O)
22 for you will heap coals of fire on their heads,
and the Lord will reward you.(P)
23 The north wind produces rain,
and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.(Q)
24 It is better to live in a corner of the housetop
than in a house shared with a contentious wife.(R)
25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul,
so is good news from a far country.(S)
26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain
are the righteous who give way before the wicked.(T)
27 It is not good to eat much honey
or to seek honor on top of honor.(U)
28 Like a city breached, without walls,
is one who lacks self-control.(V)
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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