Proverbs 25-26:12 (NIV84)

Proverbs 25

More Proverbs of Solomon

¹These are more proverbs of Solomon, copied by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:

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

³ As the heavens are high and the earth is deep,
so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.

⁴ Remove the dross from the silver,
and out comes material for ^[a]the silversmith;

⁵ remove the wicked from the king’s presence,
and his throne will be established through righteousness.

⁶ Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence,
and do not claim a place among great men;

⁷ it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,”
than for him to humiliate you before a nobleman.
What you have seen with your eyes

⁸ do not bring ^[b] hastily to court,
for what will you do in the end
if your neighbor puts you to shame?

⁹ If you argue your case with a neighbor,
do not betray another man’s confidence,

¹⁰ or he who hears it may shame you
and you will never lose your bad reputation.

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

¹² Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold
is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear.

¹³ Like the coolness of snow at harvest time
is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him;
he refreshes the spirit of his masters.

¹⁴ Like clouds and wind without rain
is a man who boasts of gifts he does not give.

¹⁵ Through patience a ruler can be persuaded,
and a gentle tongue can break a bone.

¹⁶ If you find honey, eat just enough—
too much of it, and you will vomit.

¹⁷ Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house—
too much of you, and he will hate you.

¹⁸ Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow
is the man who gives false testimony against his neighbor.

¹⁹ Like a bad tooth or a lame foot
is reliance on the unfaithful in times of trouble.

²⁰ Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day,
or like vinegar poured on soda,
is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.

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

²² In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head,
and the LORD will reward you.

²³ As a north wind brings rain,
so a sly tongue brings angry looks.

²⁴ Better to live on a corner of the roof
than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.

²⁵ Like cold water to a weary soul
is good news from a distant land.

²⁶ Like a muddied spring or a polluted well
is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked.

²⁷ It is not good to eat too much honey,
nor is it honorable to seek one’s own honor.

²⁸ Like a city whose walls are broken down
is a man who lacks self-control.

Proverbs 26

¹ Like snow in summer or rain in harvest,
honor is not fitting for a fool.

² Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow,
an undeserved curse does not come to rest.

³ A whip for the horse, a halter for the donkey,
and a rod for the backs of fools!

⁴ Do not answer a fool according to his folly,
or you will be like him yourself.

⁵ Answer a fool according to his folly,
or he will be wise in his own eyes.

⁶ Like cutting off one’s feet or drinking violence
is the sending of a message by the hand of a fool.

⁷ Like a lame man’s legs that hang limp
is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.

⁸ Like tying a stone in a sling
is the giving of honor to a fool.

⁹ Like a thornbush in a drunkard’s hand
is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.

¹⁰ Like an archer who wounds at random
is he who hires a fool or any passer-by.

¹¹ As a dog returns to its vomit,
so a fool repeats his folly.

¹² Do you see a man wise in his own eyes?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Footnotes:

1. Proverbs 25:4 Or comes a vessel from
2. Proverbs 25:8 Or nobleman / on whom you had set your eyes. / 8 Do not go