Proverbs 25
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These also are m proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied.
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It is the glory of God to n conceal things,
but the glory of kings is to o search things out.
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As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth,
so the heart of kings is p unsearchable.
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Take away q the dross from the silver,
and r the smith has material for a vessel;
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take away s the wicked from the presence of the king,
and his t throne will be established in righteousness.
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Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence
or stand in the place of the great,
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for u it is better to be told, "Come up here,"
than to be put lower in the presence of a noble.
What your eyes have seen
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w do not hastily bring into court,
for what will you do in the end,
when your neighbor puts you to shame?
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x Argue your case with your neighbor himself,
and do not reveal another's secret,
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lest he who hears you bring shame upon you,
and your ill repute have no end.
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y A word fitly spoken
is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.
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Like z a gold ring or an ornament of gold
is a wise reprover to a a listening ear.
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Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest
is b a faithful messenger to those who send him;
he refreshes the soul of his masters.
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Like c clouds and wind without rain
is a man who d boasts of a gift he does not give.
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With e patience a ruler may be persuaded,
and a soft tongue will break a bone.
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If you have f found honey, eat g only enough for you,
lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.
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Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house,
lest he have his fill of you and hate you.
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A man who h bears false witness against his neighbor
is like a war club, or i a sword, or a sharp arrow.
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Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble
is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.
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Whoever j sings songs to a heavy heart
is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day,
and like vinegar on soda.
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k If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat,
and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,
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for you will heap l burning coals on his head,
and the Lord will reward you.
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The north wind brings forth rain,
and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.
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m It is better to live in a corner of the housetop
than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.
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Like cold water to n a thirsty soul,
so is o good news from a far country.
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Like p a muddied spring or a polluted fountain
is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
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It is q not good to eat much honey,
nor is it glorious to r seek one's own glory.
28
A man s without self-control
is like t a city broken into and left without walls.
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Cross References
Proverbs 1:1
The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel:
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Cross References
Deuteronomy 29:29
The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.
Romans 11:33
Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
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Cross References
Job 29:16
I was a father to the needy, and I searched out the cause of him whom I did not know.
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Cross References
Psalms 145:3
Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.
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Cross References
Ezekiel 22:18
Son of man, the house of Israel has become dross to me; all of them are bronze and tin and iron and lead in the furnace; they are dross of silver.
2 Timothy 2:20 - 21
Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable.
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Cross References
Malachi 3:2 - 3
But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap.
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Cross References
Proverbs 20:8
A king who sits on the throne of judgment winnows all evil with his eyes.
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Cross References
Proverbs 16:12
It is an abomination to kings to do evil, for the throne is established by righteousness.
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Cross References
Luke 14:8 - 11
When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him.
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Cross References
Matthew 5:25
Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison.
Luke 12:58
As you go with your accuser before the magistrate, make an effort to settle with him on the way, lest he drag you to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer put you in prison.
Proverbs 17:14
The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out.
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Cross References
Matthew 18:15
If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.
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Cross References
Proverbs 15:23
To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is!
Isaiah 50:4
The Lord God has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary. Morning by morning he awakens; he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught.
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Cross References
Genesis 24:22
When the camels had finished drinking, the man took a gold ring weighing a half shekel, and two bracelets for her arms weighing ten gold shekels.
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Cross References
Proverbs 15:31
The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.
Proverbs 20:12
The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the Lord has made them both.
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Cross References
Proverbs 13:17
A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a faithful envoy brings healing.
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Cross References
Jude 1:12
These are hidden reefs at your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear, shepherds feeding themselves; waterless clouds, swept along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted.
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Cross References
Proverbs 20:6
Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love, but a faithful man who can find?
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Cross References
Proverbs 15:1
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 16:14
A king's wrath is a messenger of death, and a wise man will appease it.
Ecclesiastes 10:4
If the anger of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your place, for calmness will lay great offenses to rest.
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Cross References
Judges 14:8
After some days he returned to take her. And he turned aside to see the carcass of the lion, and behold, there was a swarm of bees in the body of the lion, and honey.
1 Samuel 14:25
Now when all the people came to the forest, behold, there was honey on the ground.
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Cross References
Proverbs 25:27
It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it glorious to seek one's own glory.
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Cross References
Proverbs 24:28
Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause, and do not deceive with your lips.
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Cross References
Proverbs 12:18
There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Psalms 57:4
My soul is in the midst of lions; I lie down amid fiery beasts - the children of man, whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.
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Cross References
Romans 12:15
Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
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Cross References
Romans 12:20
To the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.
2 Kings 6:22
He answered, "You shall not strike them down. Would you strike down those whom you have taken captive with your sword and with your bow? Set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink and go to their master.
2 Chronicles 28:15
And the men who have been mentioned by name rose and took the captives, and with the spoil they clothed all who were naked among them. They clothed them, gave them sandals, provided them with food and drink, and anointed them, and carrying all the feeble among them on donkeys, they brought them to their kinsfolk at Jericho, the city of palm trees. Then they returned to Samaria.
Exodus 23:4 - 5
If you meet your enemy's ox or his donkey going astray, you shall bring it back to him.
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Cross References
Psalms 140:10
Let burning coals fall upon them! Let them be cast into fire, into miry pits, no more to rise!
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Cross References
Proverbs 21:9
It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.
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Cross References
Psalms 42:2
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?
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Cross References
Proverbs 15:30
The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and good news refreshes the bones.
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Cross References
Ezekiel 32:2
Son of man, raise a lamentation over Pharaoh king of Egypt and say to him: "You consider yourself a lion of the nations, but you are like a dragon in the seas; you burst forth in your rivers, trouble the waters with your feet, and foul their rivers.
Ezekiel 34:18 - 19
Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture, that you must tread down with your feet the rest of your pasture; and to drink of clear water, that you must muddy the rest of the water with your feet?
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Cross References
Proverbs 25:16
If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.
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Cross References
Proverbs 27:2
Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.
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Cross References
Proverbs 16:32
Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
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Cross References
2 Chronicles 32:5
He set to work resolutely and built up all the wall that was broken down and raised towers upon it, and outside it he built another wall, and he strengthened the Millo in the city of David. He also made weapons and shields in abundance.
2 Chronicles 36:19
And they burned the house of God and broke down the wall of Jerusalem and burned all its palaces with fire and destroyed all its precious vessels.
Nehemiah 1:3
And they said to me, "The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.