Add parallel Print Page Options

The glory of God[a] conceals things,
    but the glory of kings searches out things.
As heaven is to height and the earth is to depth,
    so is the heart[b] of kings—there is no searching.
Remove the dross from silver,
    and it will become a vessel for the smith.
Remove the wicked before a king,
    and his throne will be established in righteousness.[c]
Do not promote yourself before the king,
    and in the place of the great ones do not stand.
For it is better that he say to you, “Ascend here,”
    than he humble you before a noble.
What your eyes have seen,

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 25:2 Or “gods”
  2. Proverbs 25:3 Or “mind”
  3. Proverbs 25:5 Hebrew “in the righteousness”

It is the glory of God to conceal a matter(A)
and the glory of kings to investigate a matter.
As the heaven is high and the earth is deep,
so the hearts of kings cannot be investigated.

Remove impurities from silver,(B)
and a vessel will be produced[a] for a silversmith.(C)
Remove the wicked from the king’s presence,(D)
and his throne will be established in righteousness.(E)

Don’t brag about yourself before the king,
and don’t stand in the place of the great;
for it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here!”
than to demote you in plain view of a noble.[b](F)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 25:4 Lit will come out; Ex 32:24
  2. Proverbs 25:7 Lit you before a noble whom your eyes see

15 With patience[a] a ruler may be persuaded,
    and a soft tongue will break a bone.[b]

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 25:15 Literally “With length of face”
  2. Proverbs 25:15 Or “strength”

15 A ruler can be persuaded through patience,
and a gentle tongue can break a bone.(A)

Read full chapter