Proverbs 25
It is to the glory of God to conceal a word, and it is to the glory of kings to investigate speech, but the heart of kings is unsearchable. One should not appear glorious before the king or stand in the place of the great, and it is better to be told to ascend than to be humbled before a prince. A person should not hastily offer something in a quarrel, and should not reveal secrets to outsiders. A faithful messenger brings rest to the one who sent him, and a soft tongue can break hardness. One should be cautious in relationships and not overstay their welcome, and should not speak false testimony against their neighbor.
1These, too, are parables of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, transferred2It is to the glory of God to conceal a word, and it is to the glory of kings to investigate speech3Heaven above, and earth below, and the heart of kings are each unsearchable4Take away the tarnish from silver, and a most pure vessel will go forth5Take away impiety from the face of the king, and his throne shall be made firm by justice6Do not appear glorious before the king, and do not stand in the place of the great7For it is better that it should be said to you, "Ascend to here," than that you should be humbled before the prince8The things that your eyes have seen, do not offer hastily in a quarrel, lest afterward you may not be able to make amends, when you have dishonored your friend9Argue your case with your friend, and do not reveal the secret to an outsider10lest perhaps he may insult you, when he has heard it, and he might not cease to reproach you. Grace and friendship free a man; preserve these for yourself, lest you fall under reproach11Whoever speaks a word at an opportune time is like apples of gold on beds of silver12Whoever reproves the wise and obedient ear is like an earring of gold with a shining pearl13Just like the cold of snow in a time of harvest, so also is a faithful messenger to him who sent him: he causes his soul to rest14A man who boasts and does not fulfill his promises is like clouds and wind, when rain does not follow15By patience, a leader shall be appeased, and a soft tongue shall break hardness16You have discovered honey; eat what is sufficient for you, lest perhaps, being filled up, you may vomit it17Withdraw your feet from the house of your neighbor, lest, when he has had his fill, he may hate you18A man who speaks false testimony against his neighbor is like a dart and a sword and a sharp arrow19Whoever sets his hopes on the unfaithful in a day of anguish is like a rotten tooth and weary foot20and like one who loosens his garment in cold weather. Whoever sings verses to a wicked heart is like vinegar on baking soda. Just like a moth to a garment, and a worm to wood, so too does the sadness of a man do harm to the heart21If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him water to drink22For you will gather hot coals upon his head, and the Lord will repay you23The north wind brings forth the rain, and a sorrowful face brings forth a detracting tongue24It is better to sit in a corner of the attic, than with an argumentative woman and in a shared house25Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so too are good reports from a far away land26The just falling down before the impious is like a fountain stirred up by feet and like a corrupted spring27Just as whoever eats too much honey, it is not good for him, so also whoever is an investigator of what is majestic will be overwhelmed by glory28Just like a city lying in the open and without surrounding walls, so also is a man who is unable to restrain his own spirit in speaking
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