Proverbs 25

1These too are proverbs of Solomon, collected and copied by the officials of Hezekiah, king of Judah. 2God is honored for keeping things hidden, and kings are honored for getting to the bottom of things. 3As high as the heavens and as deep as the earth, so the mind of a king is beyond anyone’s probing. 4Take the impurities out of silver, and the smith has material for a fine vessel. 5Take the wicked out of the king’s presence, and his throne will be made secure by justice. 6Do not promote yourself in the king’s presence or take your stand among the great, 7for it is better to be told, “Come up here,” than to be sent lower in front of a noble you have seen with your own eyes. 8Do not rush to bring a case to court, for what will you do at the end if your neighbor proves you wrong and shames you? 9Argue your case with your neighbor directly, and do not give away someone else’s secret, 10or whoever hears it will shame you, and your bad reputation will never go away. 11Like golden apples set in silver is a word spoken at just the right moment. 12A wise person’s rebuke, given to an ear that listens, is a gold earring, a jewel of the finest gold. 13Like the coolness of snow in harvest time is a reliable messenger to those who send them; they refresh the spirit of their masters.

14Like clouds and wind that bring no rain is someone who brags about gifts they never give. 15With patience you can win over a ruler, and a gentle tongue can break bone. 16If you find honey, eat only what you need, or you will have too much and throw it up. 17Do not set foot in your neighbor’s house too often, or they will get tired of you and come to dislike you. 18Anyone who gives false testimony against a neighbor is a war club, a sword, a sharpened arrow. 19Like a bad tooth or a lame foot is trust in a traitor when trouble comes. 20Like taking someone’s coat away on a cold day, or like pouring vinegar on soda, is singing cheerful songs to a heavy heart.

21If your enemy is hungry, give them something to eat; if they are thirsty, give them water to drink, 22for you will be heaping burning coals on their head, and the LORD will reward you. 23As a north wind brings rain, so a gossiping tongue brings angry looks. 24It is better to live up in a corner of the rooftop than to share a home with a wife who quarrels. 25Like cold water to someone worn out and thirsty is good news from far away. 26When the righteous give way before the wicked, it is a trampled spring, a fouled well. 27Eating honey to excess does no good, and seeking honor for yourself brings no honor. 28Someone without self-control is a city breached, left with no walls.