Add parallel Print Page Options

25 These also are wise sayings of Solomon, which were written down by the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah.

It is the greatness of God to keep things hidden, but it is the greatness of kings to find things out. As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the heart of kings is more than can be known. Take away the waste from the silver, and a silver pot comes out for the workman. Take the sinful away from the king, and his throne will stand on what is right and good. Do not honor yourself in front of the king, and do not stand in the place of great men. For it is better to be told, “Come up here,” than to be put down in front of the ruler whom your eyes have seen.

Do not go out in a hurry to argue. Or what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame? Argue your side of the problem with your neighbor, but do not tell the secret of another. 10 Or he who hears you may put you to shame, and bad things will be said about you forever.

11 A word spoken at the right time is like fruit of gold set in silver.

12 A wise man speaking strong words to a listening ear is like a piece of gold for the ear and a beautiful object of fine gold.

13 A faithful man who carries news is like the cold of snow at gathering time to those who send him, for he makes the spirit of his owners feel new again.

14 A man who talks much of a gift he never gives is like clouds and wind without rain. 15 When one is slow to anger, a ruler may be won over. A gentle tongue will break a bone.

16 Have you found honey? Eat only what you need, or you may become filled with it and spit it up.

17 Do not let your foot be in your neighbor’s house too much, or he may become tired of you and hate you.

18 A man who tells a lie against his neighbor is like a heavy stick or a sword or a sharp arrow.

19 In time of trouble, trusting in a man who is not faithful is like a bad tooth or a foot out of joint.

20 He who sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a coat on a cold day, or like sour wine poured on soda.

21 If the one who hates you is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him water. 22 If you do that, you will be making him more ashamed of himself, and the Lord will reward you.

23 The north wind brings rain, and a tongue that hurts people brings angry looks.

24 It is better to live in a corner of the roof than in a house shared with an arguing woman.

25 Good news from a land far away is like cold water to a tired soul.

26 A man who does what is right but gives way in front of the sinful, is like a well of mud or poisoned water.

27 It is not good to eat much honey, and looking for honor is not good.

28 A man who cannot rule his own spirit is like a city whose walls are broken down.

More Proverbs of Solomon

25 These are more proverbs(A) of Solomon, compiled by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:(B)

It is the glory of God to conceal a matter;
    to search out a matter is the glory of kings.(C)
As the heavens are high and the earth is deep,
    so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.

Remove the dross from the silver,
    and a silversmith can produce a vessel;
remove wicked officials from the king’s presence,(D)
    and his throne will be established(E) through righteousness.(F)

Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence,
    and do not claim a place among his great men;
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
    do not bring[a] hastily to court,
for what will you do in the end
    if your neighbor puts you to shame?(H)

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.

15 Through patience a ruler can be persuaded,(L)
    and a gentle tongue can break a bone.(M)

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

  1. Proverbs 25:8 Or nobles / on whom you had set your eyes. / Do not go
  2. Proverbs 25:11 Or possibly apricots