NETtext - Proverbs - 25

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  When you find 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.