Proverbs 25

1 These are more proverbs of Solomon, compiled by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:

2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter;
    to search out a matter is the glory of kings.
3 As the heavens are high and the earth is deep,
    so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.

4 Remove the dross from the silver,
    and a silversmith can produce a vessel;
5 remove wicked officials from the king’s presence,
    and his throne will be established through righteousness.

6 Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence,
    and do not claim a place among his great men;
7 it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,”
    than for him to humiliate you before his nobles.

What you have seen with your eyes
8     do not bring hastily to court,
for what will you do in the end
    if your neighbor puts you to shame?

9 If you take your neighbor to court,
    do not betray another’s confidence,
10 or the one who hears it may shame you
    and the charge against you will stand.

11 Like apples of gold in settings of silver
    is a ruling rightly given.
12 Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold
    is the rebuke of a wise judge to a listening ear.

13 Like a snow-cooled drink at harvest time
    is a trustworthy messenger to the one who sends him;
    he refreshes the spirit of his master.
14 Like clouds and wind without rain
    is one who boasts of gifts never given.

15 Through patience a ruler can be persuaded,
    and a gentle tongue can break a bone.

16 If you find honey, eat just enough—
    too much of it, and you will vomit.
17 Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house—
    too much of you, and they will hate you.

18 Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow
    is one who gives false testimony against a neighbor.
19 Like a broken tooth or a lame foot
    is reliance on the unfaithful in a time of trouble.
20 Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day,
    or like vinegar poured on a wound,
    is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.

21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;
    if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
22 In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head,
    and the Lord will reward you.

23 Like a north wind that brings unexpected rain
    is a sly tongue—which provokes a horrified look.

24 Better to live on a corner of the roof
    than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.

25 Like cold water to a weary soul
    is good news from a distant land.
26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted well
    are the righteous who give way to the wicked.

27 It is not good to eat too much honey,
    nor is it honorable to search out matters that are too deep.

28 Like a city whose walls are broken through
    is a person who lacks self-control.

Observation Questions

What is the glory of God and the glory of kings as described in verse 2?

What is said of the hearts of kings in verse 3?

Who is to be removed from the king's presence that his throne would be established through righteousness? (verse 5)

Are you not to exalt yourself in the king's presence? (verse 6)

Are we not to claim a place among the king's great men? (verse 6)

Why are we not to bring hastily court what we have seen? (verse 7-8)

What is like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold? (verse 12)

What is a trustworthy messenger like? (verse 13)

Who is compared to clouds and wind without rain? (verse 14)

How can a ruler be persuaded? (verse 15)

Why are we to seldom set foot in our neighbor's house? (verse 17)

What is likened to a broken tooth or a lame foot? (verse 19)

What is like one who sings songs to a heavy heart? (verse 20)

What are we to do if our enemy is hungry? (verse 21)

What are we to do if our enemy is thirsty? (verse 21)

What is a sly tongue like? (verse 23)

What is better than sharing a house with a quarrelsome wife? (verse 24)

What is good news from a distant land like? (verse 25)

What is the righteous giving way to the wicked like? (verse 26)

Is it honorable to search out matters that are too deep? (verse 27)

What is a person who lacks self-control like? (verse 28)