Proverbs 25

1These too are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, copied.

2To conceal a matter is God's glory, to search a matter kings' glory.

3The height of the heavens, the depth of the earth, and the heart of kings are unsearchable.

4Keep the dross away from silver, and a vessel emerges for the refiner.

5Remove the wicked from before the king, and his throne will stand firm in righteousness.

6Do not exalt yourself before the king, nor stand in the place of great men.

7For it is better that someone say to you, "Come up here," than that you be humbled before a noble whom your eyes have seen.

8Do not go out hastily to strive, lest in its end, when your neighbor shames you, what will you do?

9Argue your case with your neighbor, and do not disclose another's secret.

10Lest the hearer shame you, and your infamy never depart.

11A word spoken in its proper measure is like apples of gold in frames of silver.

12Like a gold earring and a pure gold ornament is a wise rebuker to a listening ear.

13Like the chill of snow during harvest, so a faithful messenger to his senders restores the soul of his masters.

14Clouds and wind without rain are like a man who boasts of a false gift.

15Patience sways a ruler, and a gentle tongue breaks bone.

16Have you found honey? Eat only enough for you, lest you glut yourself on it and vomit it.

17Let your foot be rare in your neighbor's house, lest he be sated with you and hate you.

18A man who testifies as a false witness against his neighbor is like a maul, a sword, and a sharp arrow.

19Confidence in a faithless person on a day of distress is like a bad tooth and a foot out of joint.

20One who removes a garment on a cold day, or vinegar on nitre, is like one who sings songs to an afflicted heart.

21If your enemy is hungry, feed him bread; and if he thirsts, give him water to drink.

22For you will heap coals on his head, and Yahweh will repay you.

23The north wind brings rain; a backbiting tongue brings an angry face.

24Better to dwell on a corner of the roof than with a contentious and quarrelsome woman in a shared house.

25Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land.

26Like a trampled spring and a corrupted fountain is a righteous man who yields before the wicked.

27It is not good to eat much honey; seeking one's own glory is not glory.

28Like a breached city without a wall is a man without restraint over his spirit.