Proverbs 25

1 These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out. ‡ Pro 1:11Ki 4:32Mic 1:1Ecc 12:9Hos 1:1Isa 1:1Isa 36:22Isa 37:2 +1

2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, ‡ Deu 29:29Rom 11:33-34Job 11:7-8Job 38:4Job 42:31Ki 4:29-34Job 29:161Ki 3:9-28 +4

but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.

3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, ‡ Psa 103:111Ki 4:29Isa 55:91Pe 1:7Isa 7:11Rom 8:39

so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.

4 Take away the dross from the silver, ‡ 2Ti 2:20-21Ezk 22:18Pro 17:3Isa 1:25-27Mal 3:2-31Pe 1:7

and material comes out for the refiner.

5 Take away the wicked from the king’s presence, ‡ Pro 16:12Pro 20:8Psa 101:7-8Isa 16:5Pro 20:281Ki 2:331Ki 2:46Est 7:10 +3

and his throne will be established in righteousness.

6 Don’t exalt yourself in the presence of the king, ‡ Pro 27:2Pro 16:19Pro 25:27Exo 3:111Sa 15:172Sa 7:8-17Jer 1:6-10Psa 131:1 +3

or claim a place among great men;

7 for it is better that it be said to you, “Come up here,” ‡ Luk 14:7-111Pe 5:5Luk 18:14Rev 4:1Pro 16:19

than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince,

whom your eyes have seen.

8 Don’t be hasty in bringing charges to court. ‡ Mat 5:25Pro 17:14Pro 18:6Pro 14:12Pro 30:332Sa 2:26Jer 5:31Luk 14:31-32 +2

What will you do in the end when your neighbor shames you?

9 Debate your case with your neighbor, ‡ Mat 18:5-17Pro 11:13Pro 20:19

and don’t betray the confidence of another,

10 lest one who hears it put you to shame, ‡ Psa 119:39

and your bad reputation never depart.

11 A word fitly spoken ‡ Pro 15:23Isa 50:4Ecc 12:10Pro 24:26

is like apples of gold in settings of silver.

12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, ‡ Psa 141:5Pro 15:31-32Pro 27:5-6Pro 9:81Sa 25:31-34Pro 15:5Job 42:11Pro 1:8-9 +1

so is a wise reprover to an obedient ear.

13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, ‡ Pro 13:17Pro 25:25Php 2:25-30Pro 26:6

so is a faithful messenger to those who send him;

for he refreshes the soul of his masters.

14 As clouds and wind without rain, ‡ Luk 14:11Pro 20:61Ki 22:112Co 11:13-182Pe 2:15-19Jud 1:162Co 11:31Jud 1:12-13 +1

so is he who boasts of gifts deceptively.

15 By patience a ruler is persuaded. ‡ Ecc 10:4Pro 15:1Pro 16:141Sa 25:141Sa 25:24-44Gen 32:4-21

A soft tongue breaks the bone.

16 Have you found honey? ‡ Pro 25:27Eph 5:18Pro 24:13-14Isa 7:151Sa 14:25-27Luk 21:34Jdg 14:8-9Isa 7:22 +1

Eat as much as is sufficient for you,

lest you eat too much, and vomit it.

17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house, ‡ Gen 19:2-3Jdg 19:18-21Rom 15:24

lest he be weary of you, and hate you.

18 A man who gives false testimony against his neighbor ‡ Psa 57:4Pro 12:18Jas 3:6Jer 9:8Jer 9:3Pro 24:28Psa 120:3-4Psa 140:3 +2

is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.

19 Confidence in someone unfaithful in time of trouble ‡ Isa 36:6Ezk 29:6-7Job 6:14-202Ch 28:20-212Ti 4:16Isa 30:1-3

is like a bad tooth or a lame foot.

20 As one who takes away a garment in cold weather, ‡ Rom 12:15Ecc 3:4Jas 2:15-16Deu 24:12-17Isa 58:7Pro 10:26Dan 6:18Jas 5:15 +2

or vinegar on soda,

so is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.

21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat. ‡ Rom 12:20-21Mat 5:44Exo 23:4-5Pro 24:17Luk 10:33-362Ch 28:152Ki 6:22

If he is thirsty, give him water to drink;

22 for you will heap coals of fire on his head, ‡ 2Sa 16:12Mat 10:131Co 15:18

and the LORD will reward you.

23 The north wind produces rain; ‡ 2Co 12:20Job 37:22Pro 26:20Psa 15:3Rom 1:30Psa 101:5

so a backbiting tongue brings an angry face.

24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop ‡ Pro 21:19Pro 21:9Pro 27:15-16Pro 19:13

than to share a house with a contentious woman.

25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul, ‡ Pro 15:30Rom 10:15Psa 63:1Exo 17:2-3Gen 21:16-19Luk 2:10-11Nam 1:15Rev 21:6 +10

so is good news from a far country.

26 Like a muddied spring and a polluted well, ‡ Ezk 34:18-191Sa 22:14-181Th 2:152Ch 24:21-22Act 7:52Ezk 32:2Gen 4:8Mat 23:34-37 +2

so is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.

27 It is not good to eat much honey, ‡ Jhn 5:44Pro 27:2Php 2:32Co 12:12Co 12:11Pro 25:16

nor is it honorable to seek one’s own honor.

28 Like a city that is broken down and without walls ‡ Pro 16:32Pro 22:242Ch 32:5Neh 1:31Sa 20:301Sa 25:17

is a man whose spirit is without restraint.