Proverbs 25

A Word Fitly Spoken, Like Apples of Gold

← Proverbs 31  ·  Proverbs: all chapters  ·  Proverbs 26 →

Proverbs is read here in the order of the Greek text: chapters 1–24:22, then 30:1–14, 24:23–34, 30:15–33, 31:1–9, chapters 25–29, and 31:10–31.

25:1These are Solomon’s undifferentiated instructions,
which the friends of Hezekiah, king of Judea, copied out.

25:2God’s glory conceals a word,
but a king’s glory honors matters.

25:3Heaven is high and earth deep,
but a king’s heart is beyond examination.

25:4Beat unapproved silver,
and it will be cleansed, entirely pure;

25:5Kill the impious from before a king,
and his throne will prosper in righteousness.

25:6Do not boast before a king,
and do not station yourself in the places of rulers;

25:7for it is better for you to be told, “Come up to me,”
than for him to humble you before a ruler.
Say what your eyes have seen.

25:8Do not rush quickly into battle,
so that you do not regret it at the end.
When your friend reproaches you,

25:9withdraw backward; do not show contempt,

25:10lest the friend reproach you,
and your battle and enmity not depart,
but be for you equal to death.

25:10aFavor and friendship set one free;
keep these for yourself so that you do not become subject to reproach,
but guard your ways with readiness to be reconciled.

25:11A golden apple on a carnelian necklace—
so is speaking a word.

25:12A costly carnelian is fastened into a golden earring—
a wise word into a receptive ear.

25:13As snow coming forth benefits people in harvest heat,
so a faithful messenger benefits those who sent him;
for he benefits the lives of those who employ him.

25:14Like winds and clouds and very conspicuous rains,
so are those who boast of a false gift.

25:15In patience is prosperity for kings,
and a soft tongue crushes bones.

25:16Having found honey, eat what is sufficient,
lest, filled, you vomit.

25:17Bring your foot rarely to your own friend,
lest he become filled with you and hate you.

25:18A club and sword and barbed arrow—
so also is a man testifying false testimony against his friend.

25:19An evil person’s tooth and a lawless person’s foot
will perish on an evil day.

25:20As vinegar is unsuitable for a wound,
so a suffering that falls upon the body pains the heart.

25:20aAs a moth harms a garment and a worm wood,
so a man’s grief harms the heart.

25:21If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him drink;

25:22for by doing this you will heap coals of fire upon his head,
and the Lord will repay you good things.

25:23A north wind raises clouds,
but a shameless face provokes a tongue.

25:24Better to dwell on a corner of a roof
than with an abusive wife in a shared house.

25:25As cold water is welcome to a thirsty life,
so is good news from a faraway land.

25:26As if someone blocked a spring and ruined an outlet of water,
so it is disorderly for a righteous person to have fallen before the impious.

25:27Eating much honey is not good,
but one must honor glorious words.

25:28As a city with its walls cast down and unwalled,
so is a man who does something without counsel.

← Proverbs 31  ·  Proverbs: all chapters  ·  Proverbs 26 →

Saints Translation · Liturgical reading edition · V1 · working draft awaiting specialist review.