Proverbs 25

¹ The following also are proverbs of Solomon transcribed by Hezekiah, king of Judah.

² To conceal a matter, this is the glory of God, to sift it thoroughly, the glory of kings.

³ High though the heavens are, deep the earth, there is no fathoming the heart of kings.

⁴ From silver remove the dross and it emerges wholly purified;

⁵ from the king’s presence remove the wicked and on virtue his throne is founded.

⁶ In the presence of the king do not give yourself airs, do not put yourself where the great are standing;

⁷ better to be invited, ‘Come up here’ than be humiliated in the presence of the prince. What your eyes have witnessed

⁸ do not come out with too quickly at the trial, for what are you to do at the end should your neighbour confute you?

⁹ Have the quarrel out with your neighbour, but do not disclose another’s secret,

¹⁰ or someone, hearing, will reproach you with it, and so you lose your reputation.

¹¹ Like apples of gold in a silver setting is a word that is aptly spoken.

¹² A golden ring, an ornament of finest gold, is a wise rebuke to an attentive ear.

¹³ The coolness of snow in harvest time, such is the trusty messenger to those who send him: he revives the soul of his master.

¹⁴ Clouds and gusts and yet no rain such is the man whose promises are princely but never kept.

¹⁵ With patience a judge may be cajoled: a soft tongue breaks bones.

¹⁶ Eat to your satisfaction what honey you may find, but not to excess or you will bring it up again.

¹⁷ Do not set foot too often in your neighbour’s house, for fear he tires of you and comes to hate you.

¹⁸ A mace, a sword, a keen arrow, such is the man who bears false witness against his neighbour.

¹⁹ Decaying tooth, lame foot, such is the fickle man when trusted in time of trouble.

²⁰ As well take off your coat in bitter weather. It is to treat a wound with vinegar to sing songs to a sorrowing heart.

²¹ If your enemy is hungry, give him something to eat; if thirsty, something to drink.

²² By this you heap red-hot coals on his head, and Yahweh will reward you.

²³ The rain is born of the north wind, the ravaged face of a backbiting tongue.

²⁴ Better the corner of a loft to live in than a house shared with a scolding woman.

²⁵ Cold water to a thirsty throat: such is good news from a distant land.

²⁶ A churned up spring, a fountain fouled: such is the virtuous man trembling before the wicked

²⁷ It is not good to eat too much honey, or to be taken in by fawning words.

²⁸ An open town, and without defences: such is the man lacking self-control.