PROVERBS 25:4-18

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

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 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 himself, and disclose 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 baskets of silver.

¹²As an earring 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 them that send him; for he refresheth the soul of his masters.

¹⁴As clouds and wind without rain, so is he that boasteth himself of his gifts falsely.

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 weary of thee, and hate thee.

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