ProverbsChapter 25
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1These are more proverbs of Solomon. They were copied by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah. 2It is God's glory to hide a matter.
It is the glory of kings to search it out. 3The heavens are high, and the earth is deep.
In the same way, no one can search the hearts of kings. 4Take away the waste from silver,
and the silversmith can make something from it. 5Take away the wicked from the king's presence.
Then his throne will be made strong by what is right. 6Do not make yourself look important in front of the king.
Do not stand in the place of great men. 7For it is better to be told, "Come up here!"
than to be sent lower in front of a ruler.
Even what you have seen with your own eyes, 8do not rush to take to court.
Otherwise, what will you do in the end
when your neighbor puts you to shame? 9Argue your case with your neighbor himself.
Do not tell another person's secret. 10If you do, the one who hears may shame you.
Then your bad name will never go away. 11A word spoken at the right time
is like apples of gold set in silver. 12A wise man's warning to an ear that listens
is like a gold earring or a jewel of fine gold. 13A messenger you can trust is like cool snow at harvest time
to those who send him.
He refreshes the soul of his masters. 14A man who brags about gifts he never gives
is like clouds and wind with no rain. 15A ruler can be won over by patience.
A gentle tongue can break a bone. 16If you find honey, eat only what you need.
If you eat too much, you will throw it up. 17Don't visit your neighbor's house too often.
Otherwise he may get tired of you and hate you. 18A man who tells lies about his neighbor in court
is like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow. 19Trusting an unfaithful man in times of trouble
is like a broken tooth or a foot that is out of joint. 20Singing songs to someone with a heavy heart
is like taking off a coat on a cold day.
It is like pouring vinegar on a wound. 21If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat.
If he is thirsty, give him water to drink. 22For when you do this, you will pile burning coals on his head.
And the LORD will reward you. 23The north wind brings rain.
In the same way, a tongue that talks behind people's backs brings angry looks. 24It is better to live on a corner of the roof
than to share a house with a wife who quarrels. 25Good news from a faraway land
is like cold water to a tired soul. 26A man who does right but gives in to the wicked
is like a muddy spring or a dirty well. 27It is not good to eat too much honey.
It is not good to seek your own glory. 28A man who does not control his temper
is like a city whose walls are broken down.