Proverbs 25:1–26:28
25 These are more proverbsa of Solomon, compiled by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:b
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter;
to search out a matter is the glory of kings.c
3 As the heavens are high and the earth is deep,
so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
4 Remove the dross from the silver,
and a silversmith can produce a vessel;
5 remove wicked officials from the king’s presence,d
and his throne will be establishede through righteousness.f
6 Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence,
and do not claim a place among his great men;
7 it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,”g
than for him to humiliate you before his nobles.
What you have seen with your eyes
8 do not bringa hastily to court,
for what will you do in the end
if your neighbor puts you to shame?h
9 If you take your neighbor to court,
do not betray another’s confidence,
10 or the one who hears it may shame you
and the charge against you will stand.
11 Like applesb of gold in settings of silveri
is a ruling rightly given.
12 Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold
is the rebuke of a wise judge to a listening ear.j
13 Like a snow-cooled drink at harvest time
is a trustworthy messenger to the one who sends him;
he refreshes the spirit of his master.k
14 Like clouds and wind without rain
is one who boasts of gifts never given.
15 Through patience a ruler can be persuaded,l
and a gentle tongue can break a bone.m
16 If you find honey, eat just enough—
too much of it, and you will vomit.n
17 Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house—
too much of you, and they will hate you.
18 Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow
is one who gives false testimony against a neighbor.o
19 Like a broken tooth or a lame foot
is reliance on the unfaithful in a time of trouble.
20 Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day,
or like vinegar poured on a wound,
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 In doing this, you will heap burning coalsp on his head,
and the Lord will reward you.q
23 Like a north wind that brings unexpected rain
is a sly tongue—which provokes a horrified look.
24 Better to live on a corner of the roof
than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.r
25 Like cold water to a weary soul
is good news from a distant land.s
26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted well
are the righteous who give way to the wicked.
27 It is not good to eat too much honey,t
nor is it honorable to search out matters that are too deep.u
28 Like a city whose walls are broken through
is a person who lacks self-control.
26 Like snow in summer or rainv in harvest,
honor is not fitting for a fool.w
2 Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow,
an undeserved curse does not come to rest.x
3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,y
and a rod for the backs of fools!z
4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly,
or you yourself will be just like him.a
5 Answer a fool according to his folly,
or he will be wise in his own eyes.b
6 Sending a message by the hands of a foolc
is like cutting off one’s feet or drinking poison.
7 Like the useless legs of one who is lame
is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.d
8 Like tying a stone in a sling
is the giving of honor to a fool.e
9 Like a thornbush in a drunkard’s hand
is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.f
10 Like an archer who wounds at random
is one who hires a fool or any passer-by.
11 As a dog returns to its vomit,g
so fools repeat their folly.h
12 Do you see a person wise in their own eyes?i
There is more hope for a fool than for them.j
13 A sluggard says,k “There’s a lion in the road,
a fierce lion roaming the streets!”l
14 As a door turns on its hinges,
so a sluggard turns on his bed.m
15 A sluggard buries his hand in the dish;
he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.n
16 A sluggard is wiser in his own eyes
than seven people who answer discreetly.
17 Like one who grabs a stray dog by the ears
is someone who rushes into a quarrel not their own.
flaming arrows of death
19 is one who deceives their neighbor
and says, “I was only joking!”
20 Without wood a fire goes out;
without a gossip a quarrel dies down.o
21 As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire,
so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.p
22 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;
they go down to the inmost parts.q
23 Like a coating of silver dross on earthenware
are ferventa lips with an evil heart.
24 Enemies disguise themselves with their lips,r
but in their hearts they harbor deceit.s
25 Though their speech is charming,t do not believe them,
for seven abominations fill their hearts.u
26 Their malice may be concealed by deception,
but their wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
27 Whoever digs a pitv will fall into it;w
if someone rolls a stone, it will roll back on them.x
28 A lying tongue hates those it hurts,
and a flattering mouthy works ruin.