THE
BOOK OF PROVERBS
Proverbs 25
1
¶ These are also proverbs of Solomon, which
were copied by the men of Hezekiah king of
2
¶ It is the glory of God to conceal a matter: and the glory of kings to
investigate a matter.
3
Like the high heaven, and the deep earth, the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4
¶ Remove the impurities from the silver, and the vessel will shine for the
silversmith.
5
Remove evildoers from the king’s presence, and
his throne will be established in righteousness.
6
¶ Do not be boastful or assertive in the
presence of the king, or stand in the place of the great:
7
For it would be better for you to be told, Come
up here; than for you to be put lower in the presence of the prince whom you
have seen.
8
¶ Do not be in a hurry to take a matter to court, for
what will you do afterward, if your neighbor puts you to shame.
9
Argue your cause with your neighbor himself; and do not expose another’s
private matter:
10
Lest he who hears it put you to shame, and you never live it down.
11
¶ Words spoken at the right time are like apples of gold in a picture of
silver.
12
A reproof wisely spoken to a receptive ear, is
like an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold.
13
¶ A messenger who is faithful to those who send him, is like the cold of snow
during the time of harvest: for he refreshes the spirit of his masters.
14
¶ A man who boasts about a gift he does not have is
like clouds and wind without rain.
15
¶ With patience a prince can be persuaded, and a
gentle tongue breaks down resistance.
16
¶ Have you found honey? eat only what you need, lest
you be filled with it, and vomit it.
17
¶ Withdraw your foot from your neighbor’s house; lest he grow tired of you, and
loath you.
18
¶ A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is
like a club, a sword, and a sharp arrow.
19
¶ Confidence in an unreliable man during a time of trouble is like a
having a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
20
¶ Singing songs to someone who is in
a bad mood, is like taking away his coat in cold weather, or putting
vinegar on soda.
21
¶ If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; and
if he is thirsty, give him water to drink:
22
For you will heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD will reward you.
23
¶ As the north wind produces rain: a whispering tongue
brings angry looks.
24
¶ It is better to dwell in the corner of
the housetop, than in a wide house with a quarrelsome woman.
25
¶ Cold water to a thirsty soul, is like good news from
a distant land.
26
¶ A righteous man who gives in to the wicked, is
like a muddied spring or a polluted well.
27
¶ It is not good for men to eat too much honey,
or to seek their own glory.
28
¶ He who has no control over his own spirit is like a city that
is broken down, and without walls.