| Chapter 25 |
1 |
These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah transcribed. --
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2 |
It is the glory of God to conceal a thing; but the glory of kings is to search out a thing. --
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3 |
The heavens for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable. --
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4 |
Take away the dross from the silver, and there cometh forth a vessel for the refiner: --
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5 |
take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness. --
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6 |
Put not thyself forward in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of the great; --
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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 see. --
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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. --
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9 |
Debate thy cause with thy neighbour, but reveal not the secret of another; --
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10 |
lest he that heareth [it] disgrace thee, and thine evil report turn not away. --
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11 |
[As] apples of gold in pictures of silver, is a word spoken in season. --
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12 |
An ear-ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, is a wise reprover upon an attentive ear. --
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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. --
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14 |
Clouds and wind without rain, [so] is a man that boasteth himself of a false gift. --
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15 |
By long forbearing is a ruler persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone. --
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16 |
Hast thou found honey? Eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be surfeited therewith, and vomit it. --
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17 |
Let thy foot be seldom in thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee and hate thee. --
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18 |
A maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow, is a man that beareth false witness against his neighbour. --
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19 |
A broken tooth, and a tottering foot, is confidence in an unfaithful [man] in the day of trouble. --
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20 |
[As] he that taketh off a garment in cold weather, [and as] vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to a sad heart. --
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21 |
If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: --
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22 |
for thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and Jehovah shall reward thee. --
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23 |
The north wind bringeth forth rain, and the angry countenance a backbiting tongue. --
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24 |
It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a contentious woman, and a house in common. --
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25 |
[As] cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country. --
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26 |
A troubled fountain, and a defiled well, is a righteous [man] that giveth way before the wicked. --
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27 |
It is not good to eat much honey; and to search into weighty matters is [itself] a weight. --
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28 |
He that hath no rule over his own spirit is [as] a city broken down, without walls. --
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