Proverbs 25:5-24

⁵Even so, remove wicked people from the presence of the king and his throne will be established by doing what is right.

⁶Do not honor yourself in the king's presence and do not stand in the place designated for great people.

⁷It is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,” than for him to humiliate you before a nobleman. What you have witnessed,

⁸do not bring quickly to trial. For what will you do in the end when your neighbor puts you to shame?

⁹Argue your case between you and your neighbor himself and do not disclose another's secret,

¹⁰or else the one who hears you will bring shame upon you and an evil report about you that cannot be silenced.

¹¹Apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in the right situation.

¹²A gold ring or jewelry made of fine gold is a wise rebuke to a listening ear.

¹³Like the cold of snow at harvest time is a faithful messenger for those who sent him; he brings back the life of his masters.

¹⁴Clouds and wind without rain is the one who boasts about a gift he does not give.

¹⁵With patience a ruler can be persuaded and a soft tongue can break a bone.

¹⁶If you find honey, eat just enough— otherwise, having too much of it, you vomit it up.

¹⁷Do not set your foot in your neighbor's house too often, he may become tired of you and hate you.

¹⁸A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a club used in war, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.

¹⁹An unfaithful man in whom you trust in a time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.

²⁰Like a person who takes off a garment in cold weather, or like vinegar poured upon carbonate of soda, is the one who sings songs to a heavy heart.

²¹If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,

²²for you will shovel coals of fire on his head and Yahweh will reward you.

²³As surely as the north wind brings rain, so a tongue that tells secrets will result in angry faces.

²⁴It is better to live on a corner of the roof than in a house shared with a quarreling wife.