Proverbs 25

1 These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.

These are additional proverbs of Solomon, which were copied by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:

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

It is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to search it out.

3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.

As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings cannot be searched.

4 Take away the dross from the silver, and material comes out for the refiner.

Remove the dross from the silver, and a vessel for a silversmith will come forth.

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

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

6 Don’t exalt yourself in the presence of the king, or claim a place among great men;

Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king, and do not stand in the place of great men;

7 for it is better that it be said to you, “Come up here,” than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince, whom your eyes have seen.

for it is better that he says to you, “Come up here!” than that you should be demoted in the presence of the prince. Even what you have seen with your own eyes,

8 Don’t be hasty in bringing charges to court. What will you do in the end when your neighbor shames you?

do not bring hastily to court. Otherwise, what will you do in the end when your neighbor puts you to shame?

9 Debate your case with your neighbor, and don’t betray the confidence of another,

Argue your case with your neighbor without betraying another’s confidence,

10 lest one who hears it put you to shame, and your bad reputation never depart.

lest the one who hears may disgrace you, and your infamy never go away.

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

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

12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover to an obedient ear.

Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear.

13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to those who send him; for he refreshes the soul of his masters.

Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.

14 As clouds and wind without rain, so is he who boasts of gifts deceptively.

Like clouds and wind without rain is the man who boasts of gifts never given.

15 By patience a ruler is persuaded. A soft tongue breaks the bone.

Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.

16 Have you found honey? Eat as much as is sufficient for you, lest you eat too much, and vomit it.

If you find honey, eat just what you need, lest you have too much and vomit it up.

17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house, lest he be weary of you, and hate you.

Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, lest he grow weary and hate you.

18 A man who gives false testimony against his neighbor is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.

Like a club or sword or sharp arrow is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor.

19 Confidence in someone unfaithful in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a lame foot.

Like a broken tooth or a foot out of joint is confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble.

20 As one who takes away a garment in cold weather, or vinegar on soda, so is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.

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

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

If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.

22 for you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the LORD will reward you.

For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.

23 The north wind produces rain; so a backbiting tongue brings an angry face.

As the north wind brings forth rain, so a backbiting tongue brings angry looks.

24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than to share a house with a contentious woman.

Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.

25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.

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

26 Like a muddied spring and a polluted well, so is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.

Like a muddied spring or a polluted well is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked.

27 It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it honorable to seek one’s own honor.

It is not good to eat too much honey or to search out one’s own glory.

28 Like a city that is broken down and without walls is a man whose spirit is without restraint.

Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who does not control his temper.