Proverbs 25

The AIT Bible

Hezekiah's Collection of Solomon's Proverbs

1These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.

On Kings, Neighbors, and Fitting Words

2It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings to search out a matter.

3The heavens for height, and the earth for depth — so the heart of kings is unsearchable.

4Remove the dross from the silver, and a vessel comes forth for the smith.

5Remove the wicked from before the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.

6Do not exalt yourself before the king, and do not stand in the place of the great.

7For better it is said to you, ‘Come up here,’ than to be humbled before a noble whom your eyes have seen.

8Do not go out to a lawsuit hastily, lest — what will you do in the end of it, when your neighbor puts you to shame?

9Argue your case with your neighbor, but do not reveal another’s secret,

10lest one who hears revile you, and your ill repute never turn back.

11Apples of gold in settings of silver — a word spoken in its right circumstances.

12A ring of gold and an ornament of fine gold — a wise reprover to a listening ear.

13Like the cold of snow in the day of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him: he restores the life of his masters.

14Clouds and wind but no rain — a man who boasts of a gift not given.

15By patience a ruler is persuaded, and a soft tongue breaks a bone.

16If you find honey, eat what is enough for you, lest you be sated with it and vomit it up.

17Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house, lest he have his fill of you and hate you.

18A club and a sword and a sharpened arrow — a man who testifies against his neighbor as a false witness.

19A bad tooth and a tottering foot — trust in a treacherous man in the day of trouble.

20One who takes off a garment on a cold day, vinegar upon soda — so is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.

21If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,

22for you will be heaping coals upon his head, and Yahweh will repay you.

23The north wind brings forth rain, and a tongue of secrecy, angry faces.

24Better to dwell in a corner of the roof than in a shared house with a contentious woman.

25Cold water upon a weary throat — so is good news from a distant land.

26A trampled spring and a ruined fountain — a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.

27To eat much honey is not good, and the searching out of their glory is glory.

28A city broken open, without a wall — a man who has no restraint over his spirit.

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