Proverbs 25:1-22 ▼

1 These are also proverbs of Solomon, that men of Hezekiah king of Judah transcribed:

2 The glory of God [is] to hide a thing, || And the glory of kings [is] to search out a matter.

3 The heavens for height, and the earth for depth, || And the heart of kings—[are] unsearchable.

4 Take away dross from silver, || And a vessel goes forth for the refiner,

5 Take away the wicked before a king, || And his throne is established in righteousness.

6 Do not honor yourself before a king, || And do not stand in the place of the great.

7 For better [that] he has said to you, “Come up here,” || Than [that] he humbles you before a noble, || Whom your eyes have seen.

8 Do not go forth to strive, hurry, turn, || What do you do in its latter end, || When your neighbor causes you to blush?

9 Plead your cause with your neighbor, || And do not reveal the secret counsel of another,

10 Lest the hearer put you to shame, || And your evil report not turn back.

11 Apples of gold in imagery of silver, || [Is] the word spoken at its fit times.

12 A ring of gold, and an ornament of pure gold, || [Is] the wise reprover to an attentive ear.

13 As a vessel of snow in a day of harvest, || [So is] a faithful ambassador to those sending him, || And he refreshes the soul of his masters.

14 Clouds and wind without rain, || [Is] a man boasting himself in a false gift.

15 A ruler is persuaded by long-suffering, || And a soft tongue breaks a bone.

16 You have found honey—eat your sufficiency, || Lest you are satiated [with] it, and have vomited it.

17 Withdraw your foot from your neighbor’s house, || Lest he is satiated [with] you, and has hated you.

18 A maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow, || [Is] the man testifying a false testimony against his neighbor.

19 A bad tooth, and a tottering foot, || [Is] the confidence of the treacherous in a day of adversity.

20 Whoever is taking away a garment in a cold day, || [Is as] vinegar on natron, || And a singer of songs on a sad heart.

21 If he who is hating you hungers, cause him to eat bread, || And if he thirsts, cause him to drink water.

22 For you are putting coals on his head, || And YHWH gives repayment to you.