Proverbs 25:7-22

⁷For better it is that it be said unto thee, “Come up hither,” than that thou shouldst be put lower in the presence of the prince, which thy own eyes have often seen.

⁸Do not proceed to a contest hastily, lest thou know not what thou wilt have to do at its end, when thy neighbor hath put thee to confusion.

⁹Carry on thy cause with thy neighbor; but lay not open the secret of another:

¹⁰Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thy infamy never be removed.

¹¹Like apples of gold among figures of silver is a word spoken in a proper manner.

¹²As an earring of gold, and a pendant of fine gold, so is a wise reprover toward an ear that listeneth.

¹³As the cooling of snow on a harvest-day, so is a faithful messenger to those that send him; for he refresheth the soul of his master.

¹⁴Like clouds and wind without rain, so is a man that vaunteth falsely of a gift.

¹⁵By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh bones.

¹⁶Hast thou found honey: eat so much as is sufficient for thee: lest thou consume too much of it, and have to vomit it forth.

¹⁷Make thy foot scarce in the house of thy friend: lest he have too much of thee, and so hate thee.

¹⁸A battle-axe, and a sword, and a sharpened arrow is a man that testifieth as a false witness against his neighbor.

¹⁹Like a broken tooth and a foot out of joint, is confidence in a treacherous man in a time of distress.

²⁰As he that taketh off his garment on a cold day, as vinegar is upon natron: so is he that singeth songs before an unhappy heart.

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

²²For though thou gatherest coals of fire upon his head, yet will the Lord repay it unto thee.