Proverbs 25 — ULB

25Verse 1These are more proverbs of Solomon, copied by the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah.^{Verse 2}It is the glory of God to conceal a matter,
but the glory of kings to search it out.
^{Verse 3}Like the heavens are for height and the earth is for depth,
so the heart of kings is unsearchable.
^{Verse 4}Remove the dross from the silver
and a metal worker can use the silver in his craft.
^{Verse 5}Even so, remove wicked people from the presence of the king
and his throne will be established by doing what is right.
^{Verse 6}Do not honor yourself in the king's presence
and do not stand in the place designated for great people.
^{Verse 7}It is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,”
than for him to humiliate you before a nobleman.
What you have witnessed,
^{Verse 8}do not bring quickly to trial.
For what will you do in the end
when your neighbor puts you to shame?
^{Verse 9}Argue your case between you and your neighbor himself
and do not disclose another's secret,
^{Verse 10}or else the one who hears you will bring shame upon you
and an evil report about you that cannot be silenced.
^{Verse 11}Apples of gold in settings of silveris a word spoken in the right situation.^{Verse 12}A gold ring or jewelry made of fine gold
is a wise rebuke to a listening ear.
^{Verse 13}Like the cold of snow at harvest time
is a faithful messenger for those who sent him;
he brings back the life of his masters.
^{Verse 14}Clouds and wind without rain
is the one who boasts about a gift he does not give.
^{Verse 15}With patience a ruler can be persuaded
and a soft tongue can break a bone.
^{Verse 16}If you find honey, eat just enough—
otherwise, having too much of it, you vomit it up.
^{Verse 17}Do not set your foot in your neighbor's house too often,
he may become tired of you and hate you.
^{Verse 18}A man who bears false witness against his neighbor
is like a club used in war, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.
^{Verse 19}An unfaithful man in whom you trust in a time of trouble
is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.
^{Verse 20}Like a person who takes off a garment in cold weather,
or like vinegar poured upon carbonate of soda,
is the one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
^{Verse 21}If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat,
and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,
^{Verse 22}for you will shovel coals of fire on his head
and Yahweh will reward you.
^{Verse 23}As surely as the north wind brings rain,
so a tongue that tells secrets will result in angry faces.
^{Verse 24}It is better to live on a corner of the roof
than in a house shared with a quarreling wife.
^{Verse 25}Like cold waters to one who is thirsty,
so is good news from a far country.
^{Verse 26}Like a fouled spring or a ruined fountain
is a righteous person tottering before wicked people.
^{Verse 27}It is not good to eat too much honey;
that is like searching for honor after honor.^{+
Verse 28}A person without self-control
is like a city breached and without walls.