Proverbs 25

1These are also
proverbs of Solomon,
which the men of Hezekiah
king of Judah copied out.

2It is the glory
of God
to conceal a thing:
but the honour of kings
is to search out a matter.

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

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

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

6Put not forth thyself
in the presence of the king,
and stand not in the place of great men:

7For 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.

8Go not forth
hastily to strive,
lest thou know
not what to do
in the end thereof,
when thy neighbour hath put thee
to shame.

9Debate thy cause
with thy neighbour himself;
and discover not
a secret to another:

10Lest he
that heareth it
put thee to shame,
and thine infamy turn not away.

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

12As an earring of gold,
and an ornament
of fine gold,
so is a wise reprover
upon an obedient ear.

13As the cold of snow
in the time of harvest,
so is a faithful messenger
to them that send him:
for he refresheth the soul
of his masters.

14Whoso
boasteth himself
of a false gift
is like clouds and wind
without rain.

15By long forbearing
is a prince persuaded,
and a soft tongue
breaketh the bone.

16Hast thou found honey?
eat so much
as is sufficient for thee,
lest thou be
filled therewith,
and vomit it.

17Withdraw thy foot
from thy neighbour's house;
lest he be weary of thee,
and so hate thee.

18A man that beareth false witness
against his neighbour
is a maul, and
a sword,
and a sharp arrow.

19Confidence in an unfaithful man
in time of trouble
is like a broken tooth,
and a foot out of joint.

20As he that taketh away
a garment in cold weather,
and as vinegar upon nitre,
so is he that singeth songs
to an heavy heart.

21If thine enemy
be hungry, give him bread to eat;
and if he be thirsty,
give him water
to drink:

22For thou
shalt heap coals of fire
upon his head, and
the LORD shall
reward thee.

23The north wind
driveth away rain:
so doth an angry countenance
a backbiting tongue.

24It is better
to dwell
in the corner of the housetop,
than with a brawling woman
and in a wide house.

25As cold waters
to a thirsty soul,
so is good news
from a far country.

26A righteous man
falling down
before the wicked
is as a troubled fountain,
and a corrupt spring.

27It is not good
to eat much honey:
so for men to search their own glory is not glory.

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