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The Proverbs

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- Chapter 25 -

In the presence of the king

1
These, too, are parables of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, transferred.(a)
2
It is to the glory of God to conceal a word, and it is to the glory of kings to investigate speech.
3
Heaven above, and earth below, and the heart of kings are each unsearchable.
4
Take away the tarnish from silver, and a most pure vessel will go forth.
5
Take away impiety from the face of the king, and his throne shall be made firm by justice.
6
Do not appear glorious before the king, and do not stand in the place of the great.
7
For it is better that it should be said to you, “Ascend to here,” than that you should be humbled before the prince.
8
The 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 friend.
9
Argue your case with your friend, and do not reveal the secret to an outsider,
10
lest 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 reproach.
11
Whoever speaks a word at an opportune time is like apples of gold on beds of silver.
12
Whoever reproves the wise and obedient ear is like an earring of gold with a shining pearl.
13
Just 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 rest.(b)
14
A man who boasts and does not fulfill his promises is like clouds and wind, when rain does not follow.

Friend and foe

15
By patience, a leader shall be appeased, and a soft tongue shall break hardness.
16
You have discovered honey; eat what is sufficient for you, lest perhaps, being filled up, you may vomit it.
17
Withdraw your feet from the house of your neighbor, lest, when he has had his fill, he may hate you.
18
A man who speaks false testimony against his neighbor is like a dart and a sword and a sharp arrow.
19
Whoever sets his hopes on the unfaithful in a day of anguish is like a rotten tooth and weary foot,
20
and 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 heart.
21
If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
22
For you will gather hot coals upon his head, and the Lord will repay you.
23
The north wind brings forth the rain, and a sorrowful face brings forth a detracting tongue.
24
It is better to sit in a corner of the attic, than with an argumentative woman and in a shared house.
25
Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so too are good reports from a far away land.
26
The just falling down before the impious is like a fountain stirred up by feet and like a corrupted spring.
27
Just 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 glory.(c)
28
Just 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.

Footnotes

(a)25:1 The word ‘transtulerunt’ in this context possibly refers to translation. Perhaps they translated from Hebrew to Aramaic.(Conte)
(b)25:13 If it snows before the harvest, the farmer worries about the crop. But if it snows during the harvest, he rests without worry, because the crop is already mature (and will not be harmed by the cold), and the colder temperature is refreshing during his work.(Conte)
(c)25:27 Majesty:Viz., of God. For to search into that incomprehensible Majesty, and to pretend to sound the depths of the wisdom of God, is exposing our weak understanding to be blinded with an excess of light and glory, which it cannot comprehend.(Challoner)

In the presence of the king

1
These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
2
It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
3
As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
4
Take away the dross from the silver, and material comes out for the refiner.
5
Take away the wicked from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness.
6
Don’t exalt yourself in the presence of the king, or claim a place among great men;
7
for it is better that it be said to you, “Come up here,” than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince, whom your eyes have seen.
8
Don’t be hasty in bringing charges to court. What will you do in the end when your neighbor shames you?
9
Debate your case with your neighbor, and don’t betray the confidence of another,
10
lest one who hears it put you to shame, and your bad reputation never depart.
11
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
12
As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover to an obedient ear.
13
As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to those who send him; for he refreshes the soul of his masters.
14
As clouds and wind without rain, so is he who boasts of gifts deceptively.

Friend and foe

15
By patience a ruler is persuaded. A soft tongue breaks the bone.
16
Have you found honey? Eat as much as is sufficient for you, lest you eat too much, and vomit it.
17
Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house, lest he be weary of you, and hate you.
18
A man who gives false testimony against his neighbor is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.
19
Confidence in someone unfaithful in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a lame foot.
20
As one who takes away a garment in cold weather, or vinegar on soda, so is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
21
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat. If he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
22
for you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the LORD will reward you.
23
The north wind produces rain; so a backbiting tongue brings an angry face.
24
It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than to share a house with a contentious woman.
25
Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
26
Like a muddied spring and a polluted well, so is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
27
It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it honorable to seek one’s own honor.
28
Like a city that is broken down and without walls is a man whose spirit is without restraint.
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