VerseAI

NIV

Proverbs 25

  1. 1<pb/>These are more proverbs of Solomon, compiled by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:
  2. 2<pb/><t>It is the glory of God to conceal a matter;</t> <t>to search out a matter is the glory of kings.</t>
  3. 3<t>As the heavens are high and the earth is deep,</t> <t>so the hearts of kings are unsearchable. <pb/></t>
  4. 4<t>Remove the dross from the silver,</t> <t>and a silversmith can produce a vessel;</t>
  5. 5<t>remove wicked officials from the king’s presence,</t> <t>and his throne will be established through righteousness. <pb/></t>
  6. 6<t>Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence,</t> <t>and do not claim a place among his great men;</t>
  7. 7<t>it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,”</t> <t>than for him to humiliate you before his nobles. <pb/>What you have seen with your eyes</t>
  8. 8<t>do not bring<f>[42]</f> hastily to court,</t> <t>for what will you do in the end</t> <t>if your neighbor puts you to shame? <pb/></t>
  9. 9<t>If you take your neighbor to court,</t> <t>do not betray another’s confidence,</t>
  10. 10<t>or the one who hears it may shame you</t> <t>and the charge against you will stand. <pb/></t>
  11. 11<t>Like apples<f>[43]</f> of gold in settings of silver</t> <t>is a ruling rightly given.</t>
  12. 12<t>Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold</t> <t>is the rebuke of a wise judge to a listening ear. <pb/></t>
  13. 13<t>Like a snow-cooled drink at harvest time</t> <t>is a trustworthy messenger to the one who sends him;</t> <t>he refreshes the spirit of his master.</t>
  14. 14<t>Like clouds and wind without rain</t> <t>is one who boasts of gifts never given. <pb/></t>
  15. 15<t>Through patience a ruler can be persuaded,</t> <t>and a gentle tongue can break a bone. <pb/></t>
  16. 16<t>If you find honey, eat just enough—</t> <t>too much of it, and you will vomit.</t>
  17. 17<t>Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house—</t> <t>too much of you, and they will hate you. <pb/></t>
  18. 18<t>Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow</t> <t>is one who gives false testimony against a neighbor.</t>
  19. 19<t>Like a broken tooth or a lame foot</t> <t>is reliance on the unfaithful in a time of trouble.</t>
  20. 20<t>Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day,</t> <t>or like vinegar poured on a wound,</t> <t>is one who sings songs to a heavy heart. <pb/></t>
  21. 21<t>If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;</t> <t>if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.</t>
  22. 22<t>In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head,</t> <t>and the LORD will reward you. <pb/></t>
  23. 23<t>Like a north wind that brings unexpected rain</t> <t>is a sly tongue—which provokes a horrified look. <pb/></t>
  24. 24<t>Better to live on a corner of the roof</t> <t>than share a house with a quarrelsome wife. <pb/></t>
  25. 25<t>Like cold water to a weary soul</t> <t>is good news from a distant land.</t>
  26. 26<t>Like a muddied spring or a polluted well</t> <t>are the righteous who give way to the wicked. <pb/></t>
  27. 27<t>It is not good to eat too much honey,</t> <t>nor is it honorable to search out matters that are too deep. <pb/></t>
  28. 28<t>Like a city whose walls are broken through</t> <t>is a person who lacks self-control.</t>