Free Bible Version
Proverbs • Chapter 25
1
These are more proverbs of Solomon, collected by the scribes of Hezekiah, king of Judah.
2
God (Elohim)'s greatness is in doing things that can't be known, while the greatness of kings is in revealing things.
3
Just as the height of the heavens or the depth of the earth can't be known, the king's thinking can't be known.
4
Remove the waste from the silver, and the silversmith has pure silver to work with.
5
Don't try to make yourself look great before the king, and don't pretend to be among the important people,
6
for it's better to be told, “Come up here,” than to be humiliated before a nobleman. Even though you've seen something with your own eyes,
7
don't rush to take legal action, for what are you going to do in the end when your neighbor shows you're wrong and humiliates you?
8
Discuss the case with your neighbor himself, and don't betray someone else's secret,
9
If you're patient you can persuade your superior, and soft words can break down opposition.
10
If you find honey, eat just enough, for if you eat too much, you'll be sick.
11
Don't set foot in your neighbors' homes too often, otherwise they'll get fed up with you and hate you.
12
Telling lies in court against a friend is like attacking them with a mace, or a sword, or an arrow.
13
Singing happy songs to someone who's broken-hearted is like taking off your coat on a cold day, or pouring vinegar onto an open wound.
14
If your enemy is hungry, give him something to eat; if he's thirsty, give him a drink of water.
15
This will make him ashamed as if he had burning coals piled on his head, and the Lord will reward you.
16
In the same way that the north wind brings rain, slandering people makes them angry.
17
It's not good to eat too much honey, or to want too much praise.