NET Bible

Proverbs of Solomon Collected by Hezekiah

^25:1 These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of King Hezekiah of Judah copied:

^25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, and it is the glory of a king to search out a matter. ^25:3 As the heaven is high and the earth is deep so the hearts of kings are unsearchable. ^25:4 Remove the dross from the silver, and material for the silversmith will emerge; ^25:5 remove the wicked from before the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness. ^25:6 Do not honor yourself before the king, and do not stand in the place of great men; ^25:7 for it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,” than to put you lower before a prince, whom your eyes have seen. ^25:8 Do not go out hastily to litigation, or what will you do afterward when your neighbor puts you to shame? ^25:9 When you argue a case with your neighbor, do not reveal the secret of another person, ^25:10 lest the one who hears it put you to shame and your infamy will never go away. ^25:11 Like apples of gold in settings of silver, so is a word skillfully spoken. ^25:12 Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover to the ear of the one who listens. ^25:13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to those who send him, for he refreshes the heart of his masters. ^25:14 Like cloudy skies and wind that produce no rain, so is the one who boasts of a gift not given. ^25:15 Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a soft tongue can break a bone. ^25:16 You have found honey—eat only what is sufficient for you, lest you become stuffed with it and vomit it up. ^25:17 Don’t set foot too frequently in your neighbor’s house, lest he become weary of you and hate you. ^25:18 Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow, so is the one who testifies against his neighbor as a false witness. ^25:19 Like a bad tooth or a foot out of joint, so is confidence in an unfaithful person at the time of trouble. ^25:20 Like one who takes off a garment on a cold day or like vinegar poured on soda, so is one who sings songs to a heavy heart. ^25:21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, ^25:22 for you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the Lord will reward you. ^25:23 The north wind brings forth rain, and a gossiping tongue brings forth an angry look. ^25:24 It is better to live on a corner of the housetop than in a house in company with a quarrelsome wife. ^25:25 Like cold water to a weary person, so is good news from a distant land. ^25:26 Like a muddied spring and a polluted well, so is a righteous person who gives way before the wicked. ^25:27 It is not good to eat too much honey, nor is it honorable for people to seek their own glory. ^25:28 Like a city that is broken down and without a wall, so is a person who cannot control his temper.