GodsWord - Proverbs - 25

25:1  These also are Solomon's proverbs that were copied by the men of King Hezekiah of Judah.

25:2  It is the glory of God to hide things but the glory of kings to investigate them.

25:3  Like the high heavens and the deep earth, so the mind of kings is unsearchable.

25:4  Take the impurities out of silver, and a vessel is ready for the silversmith to mold.

25:5  Take a wicked person away from the presence of a king, and justice will make his throne secure.

25:6  Do not brag about yourself in front of a king or stand in the spot that belongs to notable people,

25:7  because it is better to be told, "Come up here," than to be put down in front of a prince whom your eyes have seen.

25:8  Do not be in a hurry to go to court. What will you do in the end if your neighbor disgraces you?

25:9  Present your argument to your neighbor, but do not reveal another person's secret.

25:10  Otherwise, when he hears about it, he will humiliate you, and his evil report about you will never disappear.

25:11  Like golden apples in silver settings, so is a word spoken at the right time.

25:12  Like a gold ring and a fine gold ornament, so is constructive criticism to the ear of one who listens.

25:13  Like the coolness of snow on a harvest day, so is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him: He refreshes his masters.

25:14  Like a dense fog or a dust storm, so is a person who brags about a gift that he does not give.

25:15  With patience you can persuade a ruler, and a soft tongue can break bones.

25:16  When you find honey, eat only as much as you need. Otherwise, you will have too much and vomit.

25:17  Do not set foot in your neighbor's house too often. Otherwise, he will see too much of you and hate you.

25:18  Like a club and a sword and a sharp arrow, so is a person who gives false testimony against his neighbor.

25:19  Like a broken tooth and a lame foot, so is confidence in an unfaithful person in a time of crisis.

25:20  Like taking off a coat on a cold day or pouring vinegar on baking soda, so is singing songs to one who has an evil heart.

25:21  If your enemy is hungry, give him some food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him some water to drink.

25:22  In this way you will make him feel guilty and ashamed, and the LORD will reward you.

25:23  As the north wind brings rain, so a whispering tongue brings angry looks.

25:24  Better to live on a corner of a roof than to share a home with a quarreling woman.

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

25:26  Like a muddied spring and a polluted well, so is a righteous person who gives in to a wicked person.

25:27  Eating too much honey is not good, and searching for honor is not honorable.

25:28  Like a city broken into and left without a wall, so is a person who lacks self-control.