Proverbs 25 | English Standard Version

English Standard Version

More Proverbs of Solomon

1 These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied. (Pr 1:1) 2 It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out. (De 29:29; Job 29:16; Ro 11:33) 3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable. (Ps 145:3) 4 Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel; (Eze 22:18; Mal 3:2; 2Ti 2:20) 5 take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness. (Pr 16:12; Pr 20:8) 6 Do not put yourself forward in the king’s presence or stand in the place of the great, 7 for it is better to be told, “Come up here,” than to be put lower in the presence of a noble. What your eyes have seen (Lu 14:8) 8 do not hastily bring into court,^[1] for^[2] what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame? (Pr 17:14; Mt 5:25; Lu 12:58) 9 Argue your case with your neighbor himself, and do not reveal another’s secret, (Mt 18:15) 10 lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your ill repute have no end. 11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. (Pr 15:23; Isa 50:4) 12 Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear. (Ge 24:22; Pr 15:31; Pr 20:12) 13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters. (Pr 13:17) 14 Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give. (Pr 20:6; Jud 1:12) 15 With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone. (Pr 15:1; Pr 16:14; Ec 10:4) 16 If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it. (Jud 14:8; 1Sa 14:25; Pr 25:27) 17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house, lest he have his fill of you and hate you. 18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow. (Ps 57:4; Pr 12:18; Pr 24:28) 19 Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips. 20 Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, and like vinegar on soda. (Ro 12:15) 21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, (Ex 23:4; 2Ki 6:22; 2Ch 28:15; Ro 12:20)

Ex 23:42Ki 6:222Ch 28:15Ro 12:20

22 for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you. (Ps 140:10) 23 The north wind brings forth rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks. 24 It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife. (Pr 21:9) 25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country. (Ps 42:2; Pr 15:30) 26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked. (Eze 32:2; Eze 34:18) 27 It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it glorious to seek one’s own glory.^[3] (Pr 25:16; Pr 27:2) 28 A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls. (2Ch 32:5; 2Ch 36:19; Ne 1:3; Pr 16:32)

2Ch 32:52Ch 36:19Ne 1:3Pr 16:32

King James Version

1 These are also 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 honour of kings is to search out a matter. 3 The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable. 4 Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer. 5 Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness. 6 Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men : 7 For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen. 8 Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame. 9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself ; and discover not a secret to another: 10 Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away. 11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. 12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear. 13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters. 14 Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain. 15 By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone. 16 Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it. 17 Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee. 18 A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow. 19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint. 20 As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart. 21 If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: 22 For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee. 23 The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue. 24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house. 25 As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country. 26 A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring. 27 It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory. 28 He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.