Proverbs 25:1-18

¹These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah transcribed.

²It is the glory of God to conceal a thing; but the glory of kings is to search out a thing.

³The heavens for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.

⁴Take away the dross from the silver, and there cometh forth a vessel for the refiner:

⁵take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.

⁶Put not thyself forward in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of the great;

⁷for 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 see.

⁸Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.

⁹Debate thy cause with thy neighbour, but reveal not the secret of another;

¹⁰lest he that heareth it disgrace thee, and thine evil report turn not away.

¹¹As apples of gold in pictures of silver, is a word spoken in season.

¹²An ear-ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, is a wise reprover upon an attentive ear.

¹³As 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.

¹⁴Clouds and wind without rain, so is a man that boasteth himself of a false gift.

¹⁵By long forbearing is a ruler persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.

¹⁶Hast thou found honey? Eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be surfeited therewith, and vomit it.

¹⁷Let thy foot be seldom in thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee and hate thee.

¹⁸A maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow, is a man that beareth false witness against his neighbour.