Proverbs 25

New International Version

² It is the glory of God to conceal a matter;
    to search out a matter is the glory of kings.^(C)
3 As the heavens are high and the earth is deep,
    so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.

⁴ Remove the dross from the silver,
    and a silversmith can produce a vessel;
⁵ remove wicked officials from the king’s presence,^(D)
    and his throne will be established^(E) through righteousness.^(F)

⁶ Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence,
    and do not claim a place among his great men;
⁷ 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
⁸     do not bring^[a] hastily to court,
for what will you do in the end
    if your neighbor puts you to shame?^(H)

⁹ 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.