Proverbs Chapter 25

¹

More of Solomon’s Proverbs That the Men of Hezekiah,

King of Judah, Transcribed

² It’s God’s privilege not to reveal things

it’s a king’s responsibility to figure them out.

                  ³A king’s mind is as unsearchable

            as the sky is high and the earth is deep.

⁴ Remove the dross from silver,

and a silversmith can make something out of it.

                  ⁵Keep corrupt advisors away from a king,

            and goodness will make his throne secure.

Prov 25:1-5

⁶ Don’t claim a privileged position in a king’s presence

            or put yourself in a place designated for nobles.

         ⁷It’s better to be told to come up higher

            than to be put down lower

            in the presence of a prince.

 What you’ve seen

⁸ don’t rush to court over;

      what will you do at the end of the trial

      if the one you accuse puts you to shame?

⁹ When you’re arguing with your neighbor,

            don’t betray another person’s confidence;

         ¹⁰people may find out and accuse you of gossiping,

            and you won’t regain your good reputation.            

Prov 25:6-10

¹¹ Words fitly spoken in the proper place

are like golden apples in a silver setting.

                  ¹²A wise correction to an attentive ear

            is like a gold earring or jewelry.

¹³ An employer’s reliable messenger

refreshes like cold snow at harvest time.

                  ¹⁴People that brag falsely about what they’ll do

            are like clouds and wind without rain.

¹⁵ Patience can persuade a prince;

a soft tongue can break a bone.

                  ¹⁶Have you found honey?

            Don’t eat too much of it and make yourself sick.

¹⁷ Don’t visit your friends too often;

they’ll get tired of you.

                  ¹⁸Someone that slanders

            is like a club, a sword, a sharp arrow.                       

Prov 25:11-18

¹⁹ Depending on undependable people in hard times

                  is like chewing with a broken tooth

                  or walking on a sprained ankle.

                  ²⁰Singing to a heavy heart

            is like removing your coat on a cold day

            or pouring vinegar on lye.

²¹ If your enemies are hungry, feed them;

            if they’re thirsty, give them a drink;

         ²²you’ll be dumping hot coals on their head,

            and the LORD will reward you.                                  

Prov 25:19-22

²³ A north wind brings rain;

a back-biting tongue brings angry looks.

                  ²⁴It’s better to live in the corner of a housetop

            than inside a house with a contentious woman.

²⁵ Good news from a distant land

is like cool water to a weary soul.

                  ²⁶Good people that cave in to sinful people

            are like trampled springs and polluted wells.

²⁷ Don’t eat too much honey;

don’t seek your own honor.

                  ²⁸Someone that’s out of control

            is like an unwalled city; it’s open to attack.              

Prov 25:23-28