Proverbs 25 – NIRV & NIV

New International Reader’s Version

Proverbs 25:1-28

More Proverbs of Solomon

1These are more proverbs of Solomon. They were gathered together by the men of Hezekiah, the king of Judah.

2When God hides a matter, he gets glory.

When kings figure out a matter, they get glory.

3The heavens are high and the earth is deep.

In the same way, the minds of kings are impossible to figure out.

4Remove the scum from the silver.

Then the master worker can make something out of it.

5Remove ungodly officials from where the king is.

Then the king can make his throne secure because of the godliness around him.

6Don’t brag in front of the king.

Don’t claim a place among his great men.

7Let the king say to you, “Come up here.”

That’s better than for him to shame you in front of his nobles.

What you have seen with your own eyes

8don’t bring too quickly to court.

What will you do in the end

if your neighbor puts you to shame?

9If you take your neighbor to court,

don’t tell others any secrets you promised to keep.

10If you do, someone might hear it and put you to shame.

And the charge against you will stand.

11The right ruling at the right time

is like golden apples in silver jewelry.

12A wise judge’s warning to a listening ear

is like a gold earring or jewelry made of fine gold.

13A messenger trusted by the one who sends him

is like a drink cooled by snow at harvest time.

He renews the spirit of his master.

14A person who brags about gifts never given

is like wind and clouds that don’t produce rain.

15If you are patient, you can win an official over to your side.

And gentle words can break a bone.

16If you find honey, eat just enough.

If you eat too much of it, you will throw up.

17Don’t go to your neighbor’s home very often.

If they see too much of you, they will hate you.

18A person who is a false witness against a neighbor

is like a club, a sword or a sharp arrow.

19Trusting someone who is not faithful when trouble comes

is like a broken tooth or a disabled foot.

20You may sing songs to a troubled heart.

But that’s like taking a coat away on a cold day.

It’s like pouring vinegar on a wound.

21If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat.

If he is thirsty, give him water to drink.

22By doing these things, you will pile up burning coals on his head.

And the Lord will reward you.

23Like a north wind that brings rain you didn’t expect

is a crafty tongue that brings looks of shock.

24It is better to live on a corner of a roof

than to share a house with a nagging wife.

25Hearing good news from a land far away

is like drinking cold water when you are tired.

26Sometimes godly people give in to those who are evil.

Then they become like a muddy spring of water or a polluted well.

27It isn’t good for you to eat too much honey.

And you shouldn’t try to search out matters too deep for you.

28A person without self-control

is like a city whose walls are broken through.

New International Version

Proverbs 25:1-28

More Proverbs of Solomon

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

2It is the glory of God to conceal a matter;

to search out a matter is the glory of kings.

3As the heavens are high and the earth is deep,

so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.

4Remove the dross from the silver,

and a silversmith can produce a vessel;

5remove wicked officials from the king’s presence,

and his throne will be established through righteousness.

6Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence,

and do not claim a place among his great men;

7it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,”

than for him to humiliate you before his nobles.

What you have seen with your eyes

8do not bring25:7,8 Or nobles / on whom you had set your eyes. / 8 Do not go hastily to court,

for what will you do in the end

if your neighbor puts you to shame?

9If you take your neighbor to court,

do not betray another’s confidence,

10or the one who hears it may shame you

and the charge against you will stand.

11Like apples25:11 Or possibly apricots of gold in settings of silver

is a ruling rightly given.

12Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold

is the rebuke of a wise judge to a listening ear.

13Like a snow-cooled drink at harvest time

is a trustworthy messenger to the one who sends him;

he refreshes the spirit of his master.

14Like clouds and wind without rain

is one who boasts of gifts never given.

15Through patience a ruler can be persuaded,

and a gentle tongue can break a bone.

16If you find honey, eat just enough—

too much of it, and you will vomit.

17Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house—

too much of you, and they will hate you.

18Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow

is one who gives false testimony against a neighbor.

19Like a broken tooth or a lame foot

is reliance on the unfaithful in a time of trouble.

20Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day,

or like vinegar poured on a wound,

is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.

21If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;

if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.

22In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head,

and the Lord will reward you.

23Like a north wind that brings unexpected rain

is a sly tongue—which provokes a horrified look.

24Better to live on a corner of the roof

than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.

25Like cold water to a weary soul

is good news from a distant land.

26Like a muddied spring or a polluted well

are the righteous who give way to the wicked.

27It is not good to eat too much honey,

nor is it honorable to search out matters that are too deep.

28Like a city whose walls are broken through

is a person who lacks self-control.