Proverbs 25 | King James Version

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.

New International Reader’s Version

1 These are more proverbs of Solomon. They were gathered together by the men of Hezekiah, the king of Judah. 2 When God hides a matter, he gets glory. When kings figure out a matter, they get glory. 3 The heavens are high and the earth is deep. In the same way, the minds of kings are impossible to figure out. 4 Remove the scum from the silver. Then the master worker can make something out of it. 5 Remove ungodly officials from where the king is. Then the king can make his throne secure because of the godliness around him. 6 Don’t boast in front of the king. Don’t claim a place among his great men. 7 Let the king say to you, ‘Come up here.’ That’s better than for him to shame you in front of his nobles. What you have seen with your own eyes 8 don’t bring too quickly to court. What will you do in the end if your neighbour puts you to shame? 9 If you take your neighbour to court, don’t tell others any secrets you promised to keep. 10 If you do, someone might hear it and put you to shame. And the charge against you will stand. 11 The right ruling at the right time is like golden apples in silver jewellery. 12 A wise judge’s warning to a listening ear is like a gold earring or jewellery made of fine gold. 13 A messenger trusted by the one who sends him is like a drink cooled by snow at harvest time. He renews the spirit of his master. 14 A person who boasts about gifts never given is like wind and clouds that don’t produce rain. 15 If you are patient, you can win an official over to your side. And gentle words can break a bone. 16 If you find honey, eat just enough. If you eat too much of it, you will throw up. 17 Don’t go to your neighbour’s home very often. If they see too much of you, they will hate you. 18 A person who is a false witness against a neighbour is like a club, a sword or a sharp arrow. 19 Trusting someone who is not faithful when trouble comes is like a broken tooth or a disabled foot. 20 You may sing songs to a troubled heart. But that’s like taking a coat away on a cold day. It’s like pouring vinegar on a wound. 21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat. If he is thirsty, give him water to drink. 22 By doing these things, you will pile up burning coals on his head. And the LORD will reward you. 23 Like a north wind that brings rain you didn’t expect is a crafty tongue that brings looks of shock. 24 It is better to live on a corner of a roof than to share a house with a nagging wife. 25 Hearing good news from a land far away is like drinking cold water when you are tired. 26 Sometimes godly people give in to those who are evil. Then they become like a muddy spring of water or a polluted well. 27 It isn’t good for you to eat too much honey. And you shouldn’t try to search out matters too deep for you. 28 A person without self-control is like a city whose walls are broken through.