Proverbs 25
World English Bible
25 These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing,
but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth,
so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
4 Take away the dross from the silver,
and material comes out for the refiner;
5 Take away the wicked from the king’s presence,
and his throne will be established in righteousness.
6 Don’t exalt yourself in the presence of the king,
or claim a place among 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 Don’t be hasty in bringing charges to court.
What will you do in the end when your neighbor shames you?
9 Debate your case with your neighbor,
and don’t betray the confidence of another,
10 lest one who hears it put you to shame,
and your bad reputation never depart.
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 As clouds and wind without rain,
so is he who boasts of gifts deceptively.
15 By patience a ruler is persuaded.
A soft tongue breaks the bone.
16 Have you found honey?
Eat as much as is sufficient for you,
lest you eat too much, and vomit it.
17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house,
lest he be weary of you, and hate you.
18 A man who gives false testimony against his neighbor
is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.
19 Confidence in someone unfaithful in time of trouble
is like a bad tooth or a lame foot.
20 As one who takes away a garment in cold weather,
or vinegar on soda,
so is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat.
If he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
22 for you will heap coals of fire on his head,
and Yahweh will reward you.
23 The north wind produces rain;
so a backbiting tongue brings an angry face.
24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop
than to share a house with a contentious woman.
25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul,
so is good news from a far country.
26 Like a muddied spring and a polluted well,
so is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
27 It is not good to eat much honey,
nor is it honorable to seek one’s own honor.
28 Like a city that is broken down and without walls
is a man whose spirit is without restraint.
Proverbs 25
Common English Bible
More proverbs of Solomon
25 These are also proverbs of Solomon, copied by the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah:
2 It is the glory of God to hide something
and the glory of kings to discover something.
3 Like the high heavens and the depths of the earth,
so the mind of a king is unsearchable.
4 Remove the dross from the silver,
and a vessel will come out for the refiner.
5 Remove the wicked from the king’s presence,
and his throne will be established in righteousness.
6 Don’t exalt yourself in the presence of the king,
or stand in the place of important people,
7 because it is better that he say to you,
“Come up here,”
than to be demoted before a ruler.
What your eyes see, 8 don’t be quick to quarrel over;
what will you do in the future when your neighbor shames you?
9 Argue it out with your neighbor,
and don’t give away someone’s secret.
10 Otherwise, the one who hears it will vilify you;
the slander against you will never stop.
11 Words spoken at the right time
are like gold apples in a silver setting.
12 Wise correction to an ear that listens
is like a gold earring or jewelry of fine gold.
13 Like the coolness of snow on a harvest day
are reliable messengers to those who send them;
they restore the life of their master.
14 People who brag about a gift never given
are like clouds and wind that produce no rain.
15 A commander can be persuaded with patience,
and a tender tongue can break a bone.
16 If you find honey, eat just the right amount;
otherwise, you’ll get full and vomit it up.
17 Don’t spend too much time in your neighbor’s house.
Otherwise, they’ll get fed up with you and hate you.
18 People who testify falsely against their neighbors
are like a club, sword, and sharpened arrow.
19 Trusting a treacherous person at a difficult time
is like having a bad tooth or a wobbly foot.
20 Singing a song to a troubled heart
is like taking off a garment on a cold day
or putting vinegar on a wound.[a]
21 If your enemies are starving, feed them some bread;
if they are thirsty, give them water to drink.
22 By doing this, you will heap burning coals on their heads,
and the Lord will reward you.
23 The north wind stirs up rain,
and a person who plots quietly provokes angry faces.
24 Better to live on the edge of a roof
than to share a house with a contentious woman.
25 Good news from a distant land
is like cold water for a weary person.
26 A righteous person giving in to the wicked
is like a contaminated spring or a polluted fountain.
27 Eating too much honey isn’t good,
nor is it appropriate to seek honor.
28 A person without self-control
is like a breached city, one with no walls.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 25:20 LXX; MT vinegar on natron (a detergent)
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