Proverbs 25

1 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.