Proverbs 25  Modern English Version

² It is the glory of God to conceal a thing,
    but the honor of kings is to search out a matter.
³ As the heaven for height, and the earth for depth,
    so the heart of kings is unsearchable.

⁴ Take away the dross from the silver,
    and there will come forth a vessel for the refiner.
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 great men;
⁷ for it is better that it be said 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 forth hastily to strive;
    lest you do not know what to do in the end,
    when your neighbor has put you to shame.

⁹ Debate your cause with your neighbor himself,
    and do not disclose a secret to another;
¹⁰ lest he who hears it put you to shame,
    and your reputation be ruined.

¹¹ A word fitly spoken
    is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
¹² As an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold,
    so is a wise reprover to an obedient ear.

¹³ As the cold of snow in the time of harvest,
    so is a faithful messenger to those who send him,
    for he refreshes the soul of his masters.
¹⁴ Whoever boasts himself of a false gift
    is like clouds and wind without rain.

¹⁵ By long forbearing is a prince persuaded,
    and a soft tongue breaks the bone.

¹⁶ Have you found honey? Eat only as much as is sufficient for you,
    lest you be filled with it and vomit it.
¹⁷ Withdraw your foot from your neighbor’s house,
    lest he be weary of you and so 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 broken tooth and a foot out of joint.
²⁰ As he who takes away a garment in cold weather,
    and as vinegar on soda,
    so is he 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 you will heap coals of fire upon his head,
    and the Lord will reward you.

²³ The north wind brings rain,
    and a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.

²⁴ It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop
    than with a brawling woman in a wide house.

²⁵ As cold waters to a thirsty soul,
    so is good news from a far country.
²⁶ A righteous man falling down before the wicked
    is as a troubled fountain and a corrupt spring.

²⁷ It is not good to eat much honey;
    so for men to search their own glory is not glory.

²⁸ He who has no rule over his own spirit
    is like a city that is broken down and without walls.