Proverbs 25:5-23

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.

¹⁹A broken tooth, and a tottering foot, is confidence in an unfaithful man in the day of trouble.

²⁰As he that taketh off a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to a sad heart.

²¹If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:

²²for thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and Jehovah shall reward thee.

²³The north wind bringeth forth rain, and the angry countenance a backbiting tongue.