Chapter 25

¹These are the proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, transcribed.

²It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the honor of kings to search it out.

³Like the heavens for height and the earth for depth, so is the heart of kings—unsearchable.

⁴Remove the dross from silver, and a vessel emerges for the refiner.

⁵Remove the wicked from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness.

⁶Do not exalt yourself before the king, nor stand in the place of nobles.

⁷Better to be told, “Come up here,” than to be humbled before the prince. What your eyes see,

⁸do not hastily bring to judgment, lest you regret it when your neighbor shames you.

⁹Argue your case with your neighbor privately, and do not reveal another’s secret,

¹⁰lest one who hears it curse you, and your disgrace not fade.

¹¹A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.

¹²Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear.

¹³Like the coolness of snow on a harvest day is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.

¹⁴Like clouds and wind without rain is one who boasts of gifts never given.

¹⁵With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.

¹⁶Have you found honey? Eat only what you need, lest you have too much and vomit.

¹⁷Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, lest they tire of you and hate you.

¹⁸Like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow is one who bears false witness against a neighbor.

¹⁹Like a broken tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in times of trouble.

²⁰Like one who removes a garment on a cold day or pours vinegar on a wound is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.

²¹If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,

²²for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.

²³The north wind brings rain, and a sly tongue an angry face.

²⁴Better to dwell in a corner of a roof than in a house shared with a contentious woman.

²⁵Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land.

²⁶Like a muddied spring or a polluted well is a righteous person who yields before the wicked.

²⁷To eat too much honey is not good, nor is it honorable to seek one’s own glory.

²⁸Like a city breached, without walls, is a person who lacks self-control. Proverbs 26 The Book of Proverbs, Chapter 26 – Veritable King James Version