25:1 These also are proverbs of Solomon,
which the men of King Hezekiah of Judah copied:
25:2 It is the glory of God
and it is the glory of a king to search out a matter.
25:3 As the heaven is high
so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
25:4 Remove the dross from the silver,
and material
25:5 remove the wicked from before the king,
and his throne
25:6 Do not honor yourself before the king,
and do not stand in the place of great men;
25:7 for it is better for him
than to put you lower
whom your eyes have seen.
25:8 Do not go out hastily to litigation,
or
when your neighbor puts you to shame?
25:9 When you argue a case
do not reveal the secret of another person,
25:10 lest the one who hears it put you to shame
and your infamy
25:11 Like apples of gold in settings of silver,
so is a word skillfully spoken.
25:12 Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold,
so is a wise reprover to the ear of the one who listens.
25:13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest,
so is a faithful messenger to those who send him,
for he refreshes the heart
25:14 Like cloudy skies and wind that produce no rain,
so is the one who boasts
25:15 Through patience
and a soft tongue
25:16 When you find
lest you become stuffed
25:17 Don’t set foot too frequently
lest he become weary