Proverbs 25
1These are more proverbs of Solomon. They were gathered together by the men of Hezekiah, the king of Judah.
2When God hides a matter, he gets glory.
When kings figure out a matter, they get glory.
3The heavens are high and the earth is deep.
In the same way, the minds of kings are impossible to figure out.
4Remove the scum from the silver.
Then the master worker can make something out of it.
5Remove ungodly officials from where the king is.
Then the king can make his throne secure because of the godliness around him.
6Don’t brag in front of the king.
Don’t claim a place among his great men.
7Let the king say to you, “Come up here.”
That’s better than for him to shame you in front of his nobles.
What you have seen with your own eyes
8don’t bring too quickly to court.
What will you do in the end
if your neighbor puts you to shame?
9If you take your neighbor to court,
don’t tell others any secrets you promised to keep.
10If you do, someone might hear it and put you to shame.
And the charge against you will stand.
11The right ruling at the right time
is like golden apples in silver jewelry.
12A wise judge’s warning to a listening ear
is like a gold earring or jewelry made of fine gold.
13A messenger trusted by the one who sends him
is like a drink cooled by snow at harvest time.
He renews the spirit of his master.
14A person who brags about gifts never given
is like wind and clouds that don’t produce rain.
15If you are patient, you can win an official over to your side.
And gentle words can break a bone.
16If you find honey, eat just enough.
If you eat too much of it, you will throw up.
17Don’t go to your neighbor’s home very often.
If they see too much of you, they will hate you.
18A person who is a false witness against a neighbor
is like a club, a sword or a sharp arrow.
19Trusting someone who is not faithful when trouble comes
is like a broken tooth or a disabled foot.
20You may sing songs to a troubled heart.
But that’s like taking a coat away on a cold day.
It’s like pouring vinegar on a wound.
21If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat.
If he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
22By doing these things, you will pile up burning coals on his head.
And the Lord will reward you.
23Like a north wind that brings rain you didn’t expect
is a crafty tongue that brings looks of shock.
24It is better to live on a corner of a roof
than to share a house with a nagging wife.
25Hearing good news from a land far away
is like drinking cold water when you are tired.
26Sometimes godly people give in to those who are evil.
Then they become like a muddy spring of water or a polluted well.
27It isn’t good for you to eat too much honey.
And you shouldn’t try to search out matters too deep for you.
28A person without self-control
is like a city whose walls are broken through.