Proverbs 25:1-28 NIrV

[1] These are more proverbs of Solomon. They were gathered together by the men of Hezekiah, the king of Judah. [2] When God hides a matter, he gets glory. When kings figure out a matter, they get glory. [3] The heavens are high and the earth is deep. In the same way, the minds of kings are impossible to figure out. [4] Remove the scum from the silver. Then the master worker can make something out of it. [5] Remove ungodly officials from where the king is. Then the king can make his throne secure because of the godliness around him. [6] Don’t brag in front of the king. Don’t claim a place among his great men. [7] Let 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 [8] don’t bring too quickly to court. What will you do in the end if your neighbor puts you to shame? [9] If you take your neighbor to court, don’t tell others any secrets you promised to keep. [10] If you do, someone might hear it and put you to shame. And the charge against you will stand. [11] The right ruling at the right time is like golden apples in silver jewelry. [12] A wise judge’s warning to a listening ear is like a gold earring or jewelry made of fine gold. [13] A 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. [14] A person who brags about gifts never given is like wind and clouds that don’t produce rain. [15] If you are patient, you can win an official over to your side. And gentle words can break a bone. [16] If you find honey, eat just enough. If you eat too much of it, you will throw up. [17] Don’t go to your neighbor’s home very often. If they see too much of you, they will hate you. [18] A person who is a false witness against a neighbor is like a club, a sword or a sharp arrow. [19] Trusting someone who is not faithful when trouble comes is like a broken tooth or a disabled foot. [20] You 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. [21] If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat. If he is thirsty, give him water to drink. [22] By doing these things, you will pile up burning coals on his head. And the LORD will reward you. [23] Like a north wind that brings rain you didn’t expect is a crafty tongue that brings looks of shock. [24] It is better to live on a corner of a roof than to share a house with a nagging wife. [25] Hearing good news from a land far away is like drinking cold water when you are tired. [26] Sometimes godly people give in to those who are evil. Then they become like a muddy spring of water or a polluted well. [27] It isn’t good for you to eat too much honey. And you shouldn’t try to search out matters too deep for you. [28] A person without self-control is like a city whose walls are broken through.