Proverbs 25:2–27

²It is God’s privilege to conceal things

and the king’s privilege to discover them.

³No one can comprehend the height of heaven, the depth of the earth,

or all that goes on in the king’s mind!

⁴Remove the impurities from silver,

and the sterling will be ready for the silversmith.

⁵Remove the wicked from the king’s court,

and his reign will be made secure by justice.

⁶Don’t demand an audience with the king

or push for a place among the great.

⁷It’s better to wait for an invitation to the head table

than to be sent away in public disgrace.

Just because you’ve seen something,

⁸don’t be in a hurry to go to court.

For what will you do in the end

if your neighbor deals you a shameful defeat?

⁹When arguing with your neighbor,

don’t betray another person’s secret.

¹⁰Others may accuse you of gossip,

and you will never regain your good reputation.

¹¹Timely advice is lovely,

like golden apples in a silver basket.

¹²To one who listens, valid criticism

is like a gold earring or other gold jewelry.

¹³Trustworthy messengers refresh like snow in summer.

They revive the spirit of their employer.

¹⁴A person who promises a gift but doesn’t give it

is like clouds and wind that bring no rain.

¹⁵Patience can persuade a prince,

and soft speech can break bones.

¹⁶Do you like honey?

Don’t eat too much, or it will make you sick!

¹⁷Don’t visit your neighbors too often,

or you will wear out your welcome.

¹⁸Telling lies about others

is as harmful as hitting them with an ax,

wounding them with a sword,

or shooting them with a sharp arrow.

¹⁹Putting confidence in an unreliable person in times of trouble

is like chewing with a broken tooth or walking on a lame foot.

²⁰Singing cheerful songs to a person with a heavy heart

is like taking someone’s coat in cold weather

or pouring vinegar in a wound.

²¹If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat.

If they are thirsty, give them water to drink.

²²You will heap burning coals of shame on their heads,

and the Lord will reward you.

²³As surely as a north wind brings rain,

so a gossiping tongue causes anger!

²⁴It’s better to live alone in the corner of an attic

than with a quarrelsome wife in a lovely home.

²⁵Good news from far away

is like cold water to the thirsty.

²⁶If the godly give in to the wicked,

it’s like polluting a fountain or muddying a spring.

²⁷It’s not good to eat too much honey,

and it’s not good to seek honors for yourself.