Proverbs 25:1-18

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

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

³The heaven 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.

⁶Glorify not thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men;

⁷For better is it 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 have seen.

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 revile thee, and thine infamy turn not away.

¹¹A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.

¹²As an ear-ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.

¹³As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to him that sendeth him; for he refresheth the soul of his master.

¹⁴As vapours and wind without rain, so is he 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 filled therewith, and vomit it.

¹⁷Let thy foot be seldom in thy neighbour's house; lest he be sated with thee, and hate thee.

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