The In-Dept Study of the Bible
Proverbs 25
1 These also are proverbs of Solomon,
which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah
copied out.
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing,
but the glory of kings is to search out a
matter.
3 As the heavens for height, and the earth
for depth, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
4 Take away the dross from the silver,
and material comes outfor the refiner.
5 Take away the wicked from the king’s
presence, and his throne will be established in
righteousness.
6 Don’t exalt yourself in the presence of the
king, or claim a place among great men;
7 for it is better that it be said to you, “Come
up here,” 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. What will you do in the end when your
neighbor shames you?
9 Debate your case with your neighbor,
and don’t betray the confidence of another,
10 lest one who hears it put you to
shame, and your bad reputationnever depart.
11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament
of fine gold, so is a wise reprover to an obedient
ear.
13 As the coldof snow inthe time ofharvest,
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,
so is he who boasts of gifts deceptively.
15 By patience a ruler is persuaded.
A soft tongue breaks the bone.
16 Have you found honey? 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,
lest he be weary of you, and hate you.
18 A man who gives false testimony against
his neighbor is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.
19 Confidence in someone unfaithful in
time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a lame foot.
20 As one who takes away a garmentin cold
weather, 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. If he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
22 for you willheapcoals offire onhishead,
and Yahweh will reward you.
23 The north wind produces rain;
so a backbiting tongue brings anangry
face.
24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the
housetop than to share a house with a contentious woman.
25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul,
so is good news from a far country.
26 Like a muddied spring and a polluted
well, so is a righteous man who gives way
before the wicked.
27 It is not good to eat much honey,
nor is it honorable to seek one’s own
honor.
28 Like a city that is broken down and without walls
is a man whose spirit is without restraint.