#proverbs 25

More Proverbs of Solomon

1 These also are the proverbs of Solomon, which the men of King Hezekiah of Judah compiled.

2 It brings glory to God to hide a matter, but it brings glory to kings to investigate a matter. 3 As heaven is high and earth is deep, so there is no searching the heart of kings.

4 Remove impurities from silver, and a vessel can be cast by a silversmith. 5 Remove a wicked person from a king’s presence, and his throne will be established with righteousness.

6 Do not honor yourself in a king’s presence. Do not stand in a place reserved for great people, 7 because it is better to be told, “Come up here,” than for you to be humiliated before a ruler whom your eyes have seen.

8 Do not be in a hurry to go to court. Otherwise, what will you do afterward, when your neighbor humiliates you? 9 Argue your case with your neighbor, but do not reveal someone else’s secret. 10 If you do, the person who hears it will shame you, and your bad reputation will never leave you.

11 A word spoken at the right time is like golden apples in silver settings. 12 To ears that listen, a wise person’s correction is like a gold ring or like jewelry made of pure gold. 13 To those who send him, a trustworthy messenger is like cooling snow on a warm day during harvest. He refreshes his masters’ spirits. 14 A person who brags about a gift that is never given is like clouds and wind that bring no rain. 15 By patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a soft tongue can break a bone. 16 When you find honey, eat only what you need. Otherwise you will be filled with it and vomit it up. 17 Do not set foot in your neighbor’s house too often. If you do, he will have too much of you and hate you. 18 A person who gives false testimony against his neighbor is a club, a sword, and a sharp arrow. 19 Confidence in an unfaithful person during a time of crisis is like a broken tooth or a lame foot. 20 Singing songs to a despondent heart is like taking off a coat on a cold day or like vinegar on baking soda. 21 If your enemy is hungry, give him something to eat. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink, 22 because you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will repay you. 23 A north wind gives birth to rain, and a whispering tongue gives birth to angry faces. 24 Better to live on the corner of a roof than in a home shared with a nagging wife. 25 Good news from a distant country is like cold water for a weary soul. 26 A righteous person who is swayed by the wicked is a muddied spring or a polluted fountain. 27 Eating too much honey is not good, and people seeking their own glory is not glorious. 28 A person who lacks self-control is like a broken-down city without a wall. — Proverbs 25 | Evangelical Heritage Version (EHV) The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Cross References: Genesis 32:4; Exodus 20:16; Exodus 32:2; 1 Kings 4:32; 1 Kings 2:45; 2 Samuel 16:12; 2 Chronicles 28:15; Nehemiah 1:3; Job 6:15; Psalm 35:16; Proverbs 13:17; Proverbs 15:30; Proverbs 17:14; Proverbs 21:9; Proverbs 26:23; Proverbs 27:2; Ecclesiastes 7:16; Ezekiel 32:2; Matthew 12:35; Matthew 18:15; Luke 14:7-8; Luke 14:10-11; Romans 11:33; Jude 1:12

More Proverbs of Solomon

1 These are more proverbs of Solomon, collected by the scribes of Hezekiah, king of Judah.

2 God's greatness is in doing things that can't be known, while the greatness of kings is in revealing things.

3 Just as the height of the heavens or the depth of the earth can't be known, the king's thinking can't be known.

4 Remove the waste from the silver, and the silversmith has pure silver to work with.

5 Remove the wicked from the king's presence and the king will rule securely and justly.

6 Don't try to make yourself look great before the king, and don't pretend to be among the important people,

7 for it's better to be told, “Come up here,” than to be humiliated before a nobleman. Even though you've seen something with your own eyes,

8 don't rush to take legal action, for what are you going to do in the end when your neighbor shows you're wrong and humiliates you?

9 Discuss the case with your neighbor himself, and don't betray someone else's secret,

10 otherwise whoever hears it will make you ashamed and you'll never lose your bad reputation.

11 Advice given at the right time is like golden apples set in silver.

12 Constructive criticism from the wise to someone who listens is like a gold ring and a necklace of fine gold.

13 Faithful messengers are as refreshing to their master as cold snow on a hot harvest day.

14 Someone who boasts about a gift they never give is like cloud and wind without rain.

15 If you're patient you can persuade your superior, and soft words can break down opposition.

16 If you find honey, eat just enough, for if you eat too much, you'll be sick.

17 Don't set foot in your neighbors' homes too often, otherwise they'll get fed up with you and hate you.

18 Telling lies in court against a friend is like attacking them with a mace, or a sword, or an arrow.

19 Trusting in unreliable people in times of trouble is like eating with a broken tooth or walking on a bad foot.

20 Singing happy songs to someone who's broken-hearted is like taking off your coat on a cold day, or pouring vinegar onto an open wound.

21 If your enemy is hungry, give him something to eat; if he's thirsty, give him a drink of water.

22 This will make him ashamed as if he had burning coals piled on his head, and the Lord will reward you.

23 In the same way that the north wind brings rain, slandering people makes them angry.

24 It's better to live in a corner of a housetop than to share a whole house with an argumentative wife.

25 Good news from a distant country is like cold water to an exhausted traveler.

26 Good people who give in to the wicked are like a muddied spring or a polluted well.

27 It's not good to eat too much honey, or to want too much praise.