Proverbs 25

These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied. It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, and the glory of kings to search out a matter. As the heavens for height and the earth for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable. Remove the dross from silver, and a vessel will come forth for the silversmith. Remove the wicked from a king’s presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness. Do not exalt yourself before a king or stand in the place of the great, for it is better to be told, “Come up here,” than to be humbled before a nobleman whom your eyes have seen. Do not rush out to bring a dispute, for what will you do in the end when your neighbor puts you to shame? Argue your case with your neighbor, but do not reveal another’s secret, lest the one who hears it shame you, and your bad reputation never depart. A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. Like a gold earring and an ornament of fine gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear. Like the coolness of snow at harvest time is a faithful messenger to those who send him;
he refreshes the soul of his masters. Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give. With patience a ruler is persuaded, and a gentle tongue breaks a bone. Have you found honey?
Eat only enough for yourself, lest you be filled with it and vomit it up. Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house, lest he grow tired of you and hate you. A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is a club, a sword, and a sharp arrow. Confidence in a treacherous man on the day of distress is like a bad tooth or a slipping foot. Like taking off a garment on a cold day, like vinegar on soda, is singing songs to a troubled heart. If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat;
if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you. The north wind brings forth rain, and a backbiting tongue brings angry faces. Better to live in a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife. Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land. Like a muddied spring and a polluted fountain is a righteous person who gives way before the wicked. Eating much honey is not good, nor is seeking one’s own glory glorious. A man who has no restraint over his spirit is like a city broken into and left without a wall.

Rights and attribution