25:1 These [are] also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out:

25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings [is] to search out a matter:

25:3 The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings [is] unsearchable:

25:4 Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer:

25:5 Take away the wicked [from] before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness:

25:6 Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great:

25:7 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:

25:8 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:

25:9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbour [himself]; and discover not a secret to another:

25:10 Lest he that heareth [it] put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away:

25:11 A word fitly spoken [is like] apples of gold in pictures of silver:

25:12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, [so is] a wise reprover upon an obedient ear:

25:13 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:

25:14 Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift [is like] clouds and wind without rain:

25:15 By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone:

25:16 Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it:

25:17 Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour' s house; lest he be weary of thee, and [so] hate thee:

25:18 A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour [is] a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow:

25:19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble [is like] a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint:

25:20 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:

25:21 If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:

25:22 For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee:

25:23 The north wind driveth away rain: so [doth] an angry countenance a backbiting tongue:

25:24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house:

25:25 As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so [is] good news from a far country:

25:26 A righteous man falling down before the wicked [is as] a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring:

25:27 It is not good to eat much honey: so [for men] to search their own glory [is not] glory:

25:28 He that [hath] no rule over his own spirit [is like] a city [that is] broken down, [and] without walls: