25:1 These also are proverbs of Solomon,
which the men of King Hezekiah of Judah copied:1
25:2 It is the glory of God2 to conceal3 a matter,
and it is the glory of a king to search out a matter.
25:3 As the heaven is high4 and the earth deep
so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.5
25:4 Remove the dross from the silver,
and material6 for the silversmith will emerge;
25:5 remove the wicked from before the king,7
and his throne8 will be established in righteousness.9
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 him10 to say to you, “Come up here,”11
than to put you lower12 before a prince,
whom your eyes have seen.13
25:8 Do not go out hastily to litigation,14
or15 what will you do after it
when your neighbor puts you to shame?
25:9 When you argue a case16 with your neighbor,
do not reveal the secret of another person,17
25:10 lest the one who hears it put you to shame
and your infamy18 will never go away.
25:11 Like apples of gold in settings of silver,19
so is a word skillfully spoken.20
25:12 Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold,21
so is a wise reprover to the ear of the one who listens.22
25:13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest,23
so is a faithful messenger to those who send him,
for he refreshes the heart24 of his masters.
25:14 Like clouded skies and wind without rain,25
so is the one who boasts26 of a gift not given.27
25:15 Through patience28 a ruler can be persuaded,29
and a soft tongue30 can break a bone.31
25:16 When you find32 honey, eat what is sufficient for you,
lest you should become filled33 with it and vomit it up.34
25:17 Make your foot rare35 in your neighbor’s house,
lest he become weary36 of you and hate you.
25:18 Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow,37
so is the one who testifies against38 his neighbor as a false witness.39
25:19 Like a bad tooth or a foot out of joint,40
so is confidence41 in an unfaithful person at the time of trouble.42
25:20 Like one who takes off a garment on a cold day,43
or like vinegar poured in soda,44
so is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.45
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,46
and the Lord will reward you.47
25:23 The north wind48 brings forth rain,
and a sly tongue49 brings forth50 an angry look.51
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,52
so is good news from a distant land.53
25:26 Like a muddied54 spring and a polluted55 well,
so is a righteous person who gives way56 before the wicked.
25:27 It is not good57 to eat too much honey,
nor is it honorable for people to seek their own glory.58
25:28 Like a city that is broken down and without a wall,
so is a person who cannot control his temper.59