# Proverbs 25 (New King James Version)
Further Wise Sayings of Solomon

##### Chapter 25
###### 1 These also _are_ proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied:

###### 2 _It is_ the glory of God to conceal a matter,  
But the glory of kings _is_ to search out a matter.

###### 3 _As_ the heavens for height and the earth for depth,  
So the heart of kings _is_ unsearchable.

###### 4 Take away the dross from silver,  
And it will go to the silversmith _for_ jewelry.  

###### 5 Take away the wicked from before the king,  
And his throne will be established in righteousness.

###### 6 Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king,  
And do not stand in the place of the great;  

###### 7 For _it is_ better that he say to you,  
"Come up here,"  
Than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince,  
Whom your eyes have seen.

###### 8 Do not go hastily to court;  
For what will you do in the end,  
When your neighbor has put you to shame?  

###### 9 Debate your case with your neighbor,  
And do not disclose the secret to another;  

###### 10 Lest he who hears _it_ expose your shame,  
And your reputation be ruined.

###### 11 A word fitly spoken _is like_ apples of gold  
In settings of silver.  

###### 12 _Like_ an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold  
_Is_ a wise rebuker to an obedient ear.

###### 13 Like the cold of snow in time of harvest  
_Is_ a faithful messenger to those who send him,  
For he refreshes the soul of his masters.

###### 14 Whoever falsely boasts of giving  
_Is like_ clouds and wind without rain.

###### 15 By long forbearance a ruler is persuaded,  
And a gentle tongue breaks a bone.

###### 16 Have you found honey?  
Eat only as much as you need,  
Lest you be filled with it and vomit.

###### 17 Seldom set foot in your neighbor's house,  
Lest he become weary of you and hate you.

###### 18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor  
_Is like_ a club, a sword, and a sharp arrow.

###### 19 Confidence in an unfaithful _man_ in time of trouble  
_Is like_ a bad tooth and a foot out of joint.

###### 20 _Like_ one who takes away a garment in cold weather,  
_And like_ vinegar on soda,  
_Is_ one who sings songs to a heavy heart.

###### 21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat;  
And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;  

###### 22 For _so_ you will heap coals of fire on his head,  
And the Lord will reward you.

###### 23 The north wind brings forth rain,  
And a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.

###### 24 _It is_ better to dwell in a corner of a housetop,  
Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.

###### 25 _As_ cold water to a weary soul,  
So _is_ good news from a far country.

###### 26 A righteous _man_ who falters before the wicked  
_Is like_ a murky spring and a polluted well.

###### 27 _It is_ not good to eat much honey;  
So to seek one's own glory _is not_ glory.

###### 28 Whoever _has_ no rule over his own spirit  
_Is like_ a city broken down, without walls.