Proverbs 25

²God is great, and He keeps some things hidden. But wise rulers search out the truth in every matter.

³The sky is too high to measure. The earth is too deep to reach the bottom. A king's heart and mind can be just as hard to fully know.

⁴When you remove the bad parts from silver, something beautiful and useful comes out. The pure silver becomes a fine and lovely vessel.

⁵A king who removes wicked people from his court builds his throne on what is right. Righteousness makes a leader's rule strong and lasting.

⁶Do not push yourself forward in front of important people. Do not stand in the place meant for great people.

⁷It is better to be invited up than to be sent down. Wait humbly, and someone may call you forward. Push ahead, and you may be asked to step back.

⁸Do not rush into a fight or an argument. If you do not think it through, you may not know what to do when it goes badly. You could end up embarrassed.

⁹If you have a problem with someone, talk to them directly. Do not share their secrets with others to win the argument.

¹⁰If you betray a secret, people who hear about it will think badly of you. That bad reputation may never go away.

¹¹The right word said at the right time is precious. It is like golden apples in a beautiful silver frame.

¹²A beautiful gold earring is lovely on the ear. In the same way, a wise person's correction is precious — when the listener is willing to hear it.

¹³Cool snow during harvest time is refreshing and welcome. In the same way, a faithful messenger refreshes the soul of the people who sent them.

¹⁴A person who brags about a gift they never actually give is like clouds and wind with no rain. They promise much but bring nothing.

¹⁵Patient waiting and gentle words can change even a ruler's mind. A soft and kind answer can break through the hardest resistance.

¹⁶If you find honey, eat enough — but not too much. Too much honey will make you sick. Good things become bad when we take too much of them.

¹⁷Do not visit your neighbour's house too often. If you are always there, they may grow tired of you and stop enjoying your visits.

¹⁸A person who lies about their neighbour is like a heavy hammer, a sharp sword, and a shooting arrow. False words hurt like real weapons.

¹⁹Trusting someone who will let you down when you need help is like biting with a broken tooth. It hurts and does not work. It is like a foot that is out of place.

²⁰Singing happy songs to someone who is very sad is unkind. It is like taking away their coat in the cold. Read the room — meet people where they are.

²¹If your enemy is hungry, give them food. If they are thirsty, give them water. This is what God asks of you.

²²Your kindness to an enemy is like heaping coals of fire on their head — it may awaken their conscience. And God will reward you for your goodness.

²³The north wind pushes away rain clouds. In the same way, an angry face can stop a person who likes to say mean things behind other people's backs.

²⁴It is better to live in a small corner of a rooftop than in a big house full of arguing and fighting. Peace is worth more than space.

²⁵Good news from far away is like cold water to a very thirsty person. It refreshes and revives the soul that has been waiting and longing.

²⁶When a righteous person gives in to wicked people, it is like a fresh spring becoming muddy and corrupt. The good thing becomes spoiled.

²⁷Eating too much honey is not good for you. In the same way, always seeking your own praise and glory does not bring real honour.

²⁸A person who cannot control their own feelings and actions is like a city with broken walls and no protection. They are open to every danger.