Chapter 25

¹These are also parables of Solomon, which the men of Ezechias king of Juda copied out. ²It is the glory of God to conceal the word, and the glory of kings to search out the speech. ³The heaven above, and the earth beneath, and the heart of kings is unsearchable. ⁴Take away the rust from silver, and there shall come forth a most pure vessel: ⁵Take away wickedness from the face of the king, and his throne shall be established with justice. ⁶Appear not glorious before the king, and stand not in the place of great men. ⁷For it is better that it should be said to thee: Come up hither; than that thou shouldst be humbled before the prince. ⁸The things which thy eyes have seen, utter not hastily in a quarrel: lest afterward thou mayst not be able to make amends, when thou hast dishonoured thy friend. ⁹Treat thy cause with thy friend, and discover not the secret to a stranger: ¹⁰Lest he insult over thee, when he hath heard it, and cease not to upbraid thee. Grace and friendship deliver a man: keep these for thyself, lest thou fall under reproach. ¹¹To speak a word in due time, is like apples of gold on beds of silver. ¹²As an earring of gold and a bright pearl, so is he that reproveth the wise, and the obedient ear. ¹³As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to him that sent him, for he refresheth his soul. ¹⁴As clouds, and wind, when no rain followeth, so is the man that boasteth, and doth not fulfil his promises. ¹⁵By patience a prince shall be appeased, and a soft tongue shall break hardness. ¹⁶Thou hast found honey, eat what is sufficient for thee, lest being glutted therewith thou vomit it up. ¹⁷Withdraw thy foot from the house of thy neighbour, lest having his fill he hate thee. ¹⁸A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour, is like a dart and a sword and a sharp arrow. ¹⁹To trust to an unfaithful man in the time of trouble, is like a rotten tooth, and weary foot, ²⁰And one that looseth his garment in cold weather. As vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to a very evil heart. As a moth doth by a garment, and a worm by the wood: so the sadness of a man consumeth the heart. ²¹If thy enemy be hungry, give him to eat: if he thirst, give him water to drink: ²²For thou shalt heap hot coals upon his head, and the Lord will reward thee. ²³The north wind driveth away rain, as doth a sad countenance a backbiting tongue. ²⁴It is better to sit m a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman, and in a common house. ²⁵As cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good tidings from a far country. ²⁶A just man falling down before the wicked, is as a fountain troubled with the foot, and a corrupted spring. ²⁷As it is not good for a man to eat much honey, so he that is a searcher of majesty, shall be overwhelmed by glory. ²⁸As a city that lieth open and is not compassed with walls, so is a man that cannot refrain his own spirit in speaking.