Proverbs 25

Excerpt

1 These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out. 2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter. 3 The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable. 4 Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer. 5 Take away the wicked from before the king , and his throne shall be established in righteousness. 6 Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men: 7 For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen. 8 Go not forth hastily to strive , lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame. 9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another: 10 Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away. 11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. 12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear. 13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters. 14 Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain. 15 By long forbearing is a prince persuaded , and a soft tongue breaketh the bone. 16 Hast thou found honey ? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it. 17 Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour’s house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee. 18 A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul , and a sword , and a sharp arrow. 19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint. 20 As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart. 21 If thine enemy be hungry , give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: 22 For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee. 23 The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue. 24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house. 25 As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country. 26 A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain , and a corrupt spring. 27 It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory. 28 He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls. 1 Kgs. 4:32 ; Prov. 1:1 ; 10:1 . Rom. 11:33 ; D&C 5:3 . HEB waste, impurities. Prov. 20:8 . Mosiah 29:21 (21–24) . Luke 14:10 (7–14) . Prov. 3:30 ; 17:14 . OR do not reveal. Prov. 15:23 ; Isa. 50:4 . Prov. 1:9 . TG Chastening . TG Boast . TG Forbear . D&C 121:41 (41–44) . Prov. 24:13 . TG Gossip . Matt. 19:18 ; Mosiah 13:23 . HEB scatterer; i.e., some sort of war club. Ps. 57:4 . 3 Ne. 12:44 (43–45) . TG Enemies . 2 Chr. 28:15 . TG Reward . TG Backbiting . Prov. 21:9, 19 . HEB a trampled spring; i.e., ruined by wading into it. See Ezek. 34:18 . TG Glory . TG Self-Mastery .