Proverbs 25

Contemporary English Version

⁴ Silver must be purified
before it can be used
    to make something of value.
⁵ Evil people must be removed
before anyone can rule
    with justice.

^6 (A) Don't try to seem important
    in the court of a ruler.
⁷ It's better for the ruler
    to give you a high position
than for you to be embarrassed
    in front of royal officials.
Be sure you are right
⁸     before you sue someone,
or you might lose your case
    and be embarrassed.

⁹ When you and someone else
can't get along,
    don't gossip about it.^[a]
10 Others will find out,
and your reputation
    will then be ruined.

¹¹ The right word
    at the right time
is like precious gold
    set in silver.
¹² Listening to good advice
is worth much more
    than jewelry made of gold.
¹³ A messenger you can trust
is just as refreshing
    as cool water in summer.
¹⁴ Broken promises
are worse than rain clouds
    that don't bring rain.
¹⁵ Patience and gentle talk
can convince a ruler
    and overcome any problem.

¹⁶ Eating too much honey
    can make you sick.
¹⁷ Don't visit friends too often,
or they will get tired of it
    and start hating you.
¹⁸ Telling lies about friends
    is like attacking them
with clubs and swords
    and sharp arrows.
¹⁹ A friend you can't trust
    in times of trouble
is like having a toothache
    or a sore foot.
²⁰ Singing to someone
    in deep sorrow
is like pouring vinegar
    in an open cut.^[b]

^21 (B) If your enemies are hungry,
    give them something to eat.
And if they are thirsty,
give them something
    to drink.
²² This will be the same
as piling burning coals
    on their heads.
And the Lord
    will reward you.
²³ As surely as rain blows in
    from the north,
anger is caused
    by cruel words.
²⁴ It's better to stay outside
    on the roof of your house
than to live inside
    with a nagging wife.

²⁵ Good news from far away
refreshes like cold water
    when you are thirsty.
²⁶ When a good person gives in
    to the wicked,
it's like dumping garbage
    in a stream of clear water.
²⁷ Don't eat too much honey
    or always want praise.^[c]
28 Losing self-control
leaves you as helpless
    as a city without a wall.