Proverbs 25
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1These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of King Hezekiah of Judah copied: 1These are more proverbs of Solomon, collected by the advisers of King Hezekiah of Judah.
2It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, and it is the glory of a king to search out a matter. 2It is God’s privilege to conceal things and the king’s privilege to discover them.
3As the heaven is high and the earth is deep so the hearts of kings are unsearchable. 3No one can comprehend the height of heaven, the depth of the earth, or all that goes on in the king’s mind!
4Remove the dross from the silver, and material for the silversmith will emerge; 4Remove the impurities from silver, and the sterling will be ready for the silversmith.
5remove the wicked from before the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness. 5Remove the wicked from the king’s court, and his reign will be made secure by justice.
6Do not honor yourself before the king, and do not stand in the place of great men; 6Don’t demand an audience with the king or push for a place among the great.
7for it is better for him to say to you, "Come up here," than to put you lower before a prince, whom your eyes have seen. 7It’s better to wait for an invitation to the head table than to be sent away in public disgrace. Just because you’ve seen something,
8Do not go out hastily to litigation, or what will you do afterward when your neighbor puts you to shame? 8don’t be in a hurry to go to court. For what will you do in the end if your neighbor deals you a shameful defeat?
9When you argue a case with your neighbor, do not reveal the secret of another person, 9When arguing with your neighbor, don’t betray another person’s secret.
10lest the one who hears it put you to shame and your infamy will never go away. 10Others may accuse you of gossip, and you will never regain your good reputation.
11Like apples of gold in settings of silver, so is a word skillfully spoken. 11Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket.
12Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover to the ear of the one who listens. 12To one who listens, valid criticism is like a gold earring or other gold jewelry.
13Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to those who send him, for he refreshes the heart of his masters. 13Trustworthy messengers refresh like snow in summer. They revive the spirit of their employer.
14Like cloudy skies and wind that produce no rain, so is the one who boasts of a gift not given. 14A person who promises a gift but doesn’t give it is like clouds and wind that bring no rain.
15Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a soft tongue can break a bone. 15Patience can persuade a prince, and soft speech can break bones.
16When you find honey, eat only what is sufficient for you, lest you become stuffed with it and vomit it up. 16Do you like honey? Don’t eat too much, or it will make you sick!
17Don't set foot too frequently in your neighbor's house, lest he become weary of you and hate you. 17Don’t visit your neighbors too often, or you will wear out your welcome.
18Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow, so is the one who testifies against his neighbor as a false witness. 18Telling lies about others is as harmful as hitting them with an ax, wounding them with a sword, or shooting them with a sharp arrow.
19Like a bad tooth or a foot out of joint, so is confidence in an unfaithful person at the time of trouble. 19Putting confidence in an unreliable person in times of trouble is like chewing with a broken tooth or walking on a lame foot.
20Like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar poured on soda, so is one who sings songs to a heavy heart. 20Singing cheerful songs to a person with a heavy heart is like taking someone’s coat in cold weather or pouring vinegar in a wound.
21If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, 21If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat. If they are thirsty, give them water to drink.
22for you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the LORD will reward you. 22You will heap burning coals of shame on their heads, and the LORD will reward you.
23The north wind brings forth rain, and a gossiping tongue brings forth an angry look. 23As surely as a north wind brings rain, so a gossiping tongue causes anger!
24It is better to live on a corner of the housetop than in a house in company with a quarrelsome wife. 24It’s better to live alone in the corner of an attic than with a quarrelsome wife in a lovely home.
25Like cold water to a weary person, so is good news from a distant land. 25Good news from far away is like cold water to the thirsty.
26Like a muddied spring and a polluted well, so is a righteous person who gives way before the wicked. 26If the godly give in to the wicked, it’s like polluting a fountain or muddying a spring.
27It is not good to eat too much honey, nor is it honorable for people to seek their own glory. 27It’s not good to eat too much honey, and it’s not good to seek honors for yourself.
28Like a city that is broken down and without a wall, so is a person who cannot control his temper. 28A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.
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Proverbs 24
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