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25 : 1 These also areproverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied.
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25 : 2 It is the glory of God toconceal things,but the glory of kings is tosearch things out.
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25 : 3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth,so the heart of kings isunsearchable.
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25 : 4 Take awaythe dross from the silver,andthe smith has material for a vessel;
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25 : 5 take awaythe wicked from the presence of the king,and histhrone will be established in righteousness.
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25 : 6 Do not put yourself forward in the king's presenceor stand in the place of the great,
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25 : 7 forit is better to be told,Come up here,than to be put lower in the presence of a noble.What your eyes have seen
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25 : 8 do not hastily bring into court,forwhat will you do in the end,when your neighbor puts you to shame?
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25 : 9 Argue your case with your neighbor himself,and do not reveal another's secret,
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25 : 10 lest he who hears you bring shame upon you,and your ill repute have no end.
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25 : 11 A word fitly spokenis like apples of gold in a setting of silver.
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25 : 12 Likea gold ring or an ornament of goldis a wise reprover toa listening ear.
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25 : 13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvestisa faithful messenger to those who send him;he refreshes the soul of his masters.
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25 : 14 Likeclouds and wind without rainis a man whoboasts of a gift he does not give.
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25 : 15 Withpatience a ruler may be persuaded,and a soft tongue will break a bone.
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25 : 16 If you havefound honey, eatonly enough for you,lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.
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25 : 17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house,lest he have his fill of you and hate you.
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25 : 18 A man whobears false witness against his neighboris like a war club, ora sword, or a sharp arrow.
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25 : 19 Trusting in a treacherous man in time of troubleis like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.
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25 : 20 Whoeversings songs to a heavy heartis like one who takes off a garment on a cold day,and like vinegar on soda.
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25 : 21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat,and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,
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25 : 22 for you will heapburning coals on his head,and theLordwill reward you.
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25 : 23 The north wind brings forth rain,and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.
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25 : 24 It is better to live in a corner of the housetopthan in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.
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25 : 25 Like cold water toa thirsty soul,so isgood news from a far country.
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25 : 26 Likea muddied spring or a polluted fountainis a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
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25 : 27 It isnot good to eat much honey,nor is it glorious toseek one's own glory.
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25 : 28 A manwithout self-controlis likea city broken into and left without walls.
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