| Chapter 25 |
1 | These [are] also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
|
2 | [It is] the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings [is] to search out a matter.
|
3 | The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings [is] unsearchable.
|
4 | Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.
|
5 | Take away the wicked [from] before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
|
6 | Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great [men]:
|
7 | For better [it is] that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.
|
8 | Go not forth hastily to strive, lest [thou know not] what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.
|
9 | Debate thy cause with thy neighbour [himself]; and discover not a secret to another:
|
10 | Lest he that heareth [it] put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.
|
11 | A word fitly spoken [is like] apples of gold in pictures of silver.
|
12 | [As] an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, [so is] a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.
|
13 | As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, [so is] a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.
|
14 | Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift [is like] clouds and wind without rain.
|
15 | By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
|
16 | Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.
|
17 | Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and [so] hate thee.
|
18 | A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour [is] a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
|
19 | Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble [is like] a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
|
20 | [As] he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, [and as] vinegar upon nitre, so [is] he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.
|
21 | If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
|
22 | For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.
|
23 | The north wind driveth away rain: so [doth] an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.
|
24 | [It is] better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.
|
25 | [As] cold waters to a thirsty soul, so [is] good news from a far country.
|
26 | A righteous man falling down before the wicked [is as] a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.
|
27 | [It is] not good to eat much honey: so [for men] to search their own glory [is not] glory.
|
28 | He that [hath] no rule over his own spirit [is like] a city [that is] broken down, [and] without walls.
|