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Proverbs 25
21st Century King James Version
Proverbs 25
21st Century King James Version
25 These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, copied out:
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the honor of kings is to search out a matter.
3 As the heaven for height and the earth for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4 Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the refiner.
5 Take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
6 Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men;
7 for better it is that it be said unto thee, “Come up hither,” than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.
8 Go not forth hastily to contend, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof when thy neighbor hath put thee to shame.
9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbor himself, and disclose not a secret to another,
10 lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.
11 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 upon an obedient ear.
13 As the cold of snow at the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him, for he refresheth the soul of his masters.
14 Whoso boasteth himself of his gifts falsely is like clouds and wind without rain.
15 By much forbearance is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
16 Hast thou found honey? Eat only so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith and vomit it.
17 Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbor’s house, lest he be weary of thee and so come to hate thee.
18 A man that beareth false witness against his neighbor is a maul and a sword and a sharp arrow.
19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
20 As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon soda, so is he that singeth songs to a heavy heart.
21 If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink;
22 for thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee.
23 The north wind driveth away rain; so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.
24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a large house.
25 As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
26 A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain and a corrupt spring.
27 It is not good to eat much honey; so also for men to search after their own glory is not glory.
28 He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down and without walls.
Proverbs 25
New International Version
Proverbs 25
New International Version
More Proverbs of Solomon
25 These are more proverbs(A) of Solomon, compiled by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:(B)
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter;
to search out a matter is the glory of kings.(C)
3 As the heavens are high and the earth is deep,
so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
4 Remove the dross from the silver,
and a silversmith can produce a vessel;
5 remove wicked officials from the king’s presence,(D)
and his throne will be established(E) through righteousness.(F)
6 Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence,
and do not claim a place among his great men;
7 it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,”(G)
than for him to humiliate you before his nobles.
What you have seen with your eyes
8 do not bring[a] hastily to court,
for what will you do in the end
if your neighbor puts you to shame?(H)
9 If you take your neighbor to court,
do not betray another’s confidence,
10 or the one who hears it may shame you
and the charge against you will stand.
11 Like apples[b] of gold in settings of silver(I)
is a ruling rightly given.
12 Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold
is the rebuke of a wise judge to a listening ear.(J)
13 Like a snow-cooled drink at harvest time
is a trustworthy messenger to the one who sends him;
he refreshes the spirit of his master.(K)
14 Like clouds and wind without rain
is one who boasts of gifts never given.
16 If you find honey, eat just enough—
too much of it, and you will vomit.(N)
17 Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house—
too much of you, and they will hate you.
18 Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow
is one who gives false testimony against a neighbor.(O)
19 Like a broken tooth or a lame foot
is reliance on the unfaithful in a time of trouble.
20 Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day,
or like 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.
22 In doing this, you will heap burning coals(P) on his head,
and the Lord will reward you.(Q)
23 Like a north wind that brings unexpected rain
is a sly tongue—which provokes a horrified look.
24 Better to live on a corner of the roof
than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.(R)
25 Like cold water to a weary soul
is good news from a distant land.(S)
26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted well
are the righteous who give way to the wicked.
27 It is not good to eat too much honey,(T)
nor is it honorable to search out matters that are too deep.(U)
28 Like a city whose walls are broken through
is a person who lacks self-control.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 25:8 Or nobles / on whom you had set your eyes. / 8 Do not go
- Proverbs 25:11 Or possibly apricots
21st Century King James Version (KJ21)
Copyright © 1994 by Deuel Enterprises, Inc.
New International Version (NIV) 
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NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.