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Proverbs 25
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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. {is...: Heb. there is no searching} 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: {Put...: Heb. Set not out thy glory} 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: {a secret...: or, the secret of} 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. {fitly...: Heb. spoken upon his wheels} 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. {of a...: Heb. in a gift of falsehood} 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. {Withdraw...: or, Let thy foot be seldom in} {weary...: Heb. full of 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. {driveth...: or, bringeth forth rain: so doth a backbiting tongue an angry countenance} 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. (KJV) |
