Proverbs 25 - Modern English Version

More Proverbs of Solomon

¹ These are other proverbs of Solomon which the men of King Hezekiah of Judah copied.

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

³ The heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable.

⁴ Take away the dross from the silver, and there will come forth a vessel for the silversmith.

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

⁶ Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king, do not stand in the place of the great;

⁷ for it is better to be told, “Come up here,” than to be put lower in the presence of the prince. Whom your eyes have seen

⁸ do not hastily bring into court, lest you know not what to do in the end, when your neighbor has put you to shame.

⁹ Plead your cause with your neighbor himself, and betray not a confidence to another,

¹⁰ lest he who hears it puts you to shame, and your ill repute have no end.

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

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

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

¹⁴ Like clouds and wind without the rain, so is he who boasts himself of a false gift.

¹⁵ With patience is a prince persuaded, and a gentle tongue will break a bone.

¹⁶ Have you found honey? Eat only as much as is sufficient for you, lest you be filled with it and vomit it out.

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

¹⁸ Like a club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow, so is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor.

¹⁹ Like a bad tooth or a foot out of joint, so is confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble.

²⁰ Like he who takes away a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar on a wound, so is he who sings songs to a heavy heart.

²¹ If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,

²² for you will heap hot coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.

²³ The north wind brings forth rain, and a backbiting tongue, an angry countenance.

²⁴ It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.

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

²⁶ Like a muddy spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who falters before the wicked.

²⁷ It is not good to eat much honey; so for men to seek their own glory is not glorious.

²⁸ He who has no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down and without walls.