CHAPTER 25
1These, too, are proverbs of Solomon, which
the men of Hezekiah king of Judah transcribed.
2God’s honor is to hide a matter,
the honor of kings, to probe a matter.
3The heavens for height and the earth for depth,
but the heart of kings is beyond probing.
4Remove the dross from silver,
and for the refiner the vessel comes out.
5Remove the wicked man from the king’s presence,
and his throne is firm-founded in justice.
6Do not preen before a king,
and do not stand in the place of the great.
7For better that he say to you, “Come up here,”
than that he abase you before a noble
8Do not go out quickly to a quarrel,
for what will you do afterward
when your neighbor puts you to shame?
9Take up your quarrel with your neighbor,
but another’s secret do not reveal,
10lest he who hears revile you,
and your infamy not be withdrawn.
11Golden apples in silver carvings,
a word spoken in its own right way.
12A ring of gold and a fine-gold bangle—
the wise rebuker to an ear that heeds.
13Like the chill of snow on a harvest day,
a faithful messenger to his senders,
he revives his master’s spirits.
14Clouds and wind yet there is no rain—
a man who boasts of a deceptive gift.
15Through patience a leader is duped,
and a gentle tongue breaks a bone.
16If you find honey, eat just what you need,
lest you have your fill of it and throw it up.
17Be sparing of your visits in your neighbor’s house,
lest he have his fill of you and hate you.
18A mace and a sword and a sharpened arrow—
a man who bears false witness against his neighbor.
19A shattered tooth and a shaky leg—
treacherous refuge on a day of trouble.
20Who takes off a garment on a cold day,
thus the singer of songs to a downcast heart.
21If your foe is hungry, feed him bread,
and if he thirsts, give him water,
22for you would heap live coals on his head,
and the LORD will pay you back.
23A north wind brings on rain,
and an angry face—a secretive tongue.
24Better to dwell in the corner of a roof
than with a quarrelsome wife in a spacious house.
25Cool water to a famished throat—
good news from a distant land.
26A muddied fountain, a fouled-up spring—
a righteous man toppling before the wicked.
27To eat too much honey is not good,
and to be sparing of speech is honor.
28A breached city without a wall—
a man with no restraint to his spirit.