Proverbs 25:1-22 ▼

1 These are also parables of Solomon, which the men of Ezekia king of Iuda copied out.

2 (25:1) It is the glory of God to kepe a thing secrete: but the kynges honour is to searche out a thing.

3 (25:2) The heauen is hye, the earth is deepe: and the kinges heart is vnsearcheable.

4 (25:3) Take the drosse from the siluer, and there shalbe a vessell for the siner.

5 (25:4) Take away the vngodly from the kyng: and his seate shalbe stablished with righteousnesse.

6 (25:5) Put not foorth thy selfe in the presence of the king, and preasse not into the place of great men:

7 (25:6) For better is it, that it be sayde vnto thee, come vp hyther: then thou to be put lower in the presence of the priuce whom thou seest with thyne eyes.

8 (25:7) Be not hastie to go to lawe: lest haplye thou knowest not what to do when thy neighbour hath confounded thee.

9 (25:8) Handle thy matter with thy neighbour himselfe, and discouer not thy secrete to another:

10 (25:9) Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thy infamie do not ceasse.

11 (25:10) A worde spoken in due season, is lyke apples of golde in a graued worke of siluer.

12 (25:11) Who so reproueth a wyse man that hath an obedient eare, is as a golden earring, and an ornament of fine golde.

13 (25:12) As the colde of snowe in the tyme of haruest: so is a faythfull messenger to them that sende hym, for he refresheth his maisters mynde.

14 (25:13) Whoso maketh great boastes and geueth nothing, is lyke cloudes and winde without rayne.

15 (25:14) With pacience is a prince pacified, and with a softe tongue is rigorousnesse broken.

16 (25:15) If thou findest honie, eate so muche as is sufficient for thee: lest thou be ouer full, and parbreake it out agayne.

17 (25:16) Withdrawe thy foote from thy neighbours house: lest he be werie of thee, and so hate thee.

18 (25:17) Whoso beareth false witnesse against his neighbour, he is a very club, a sworde, and a sharpe arrowe.

19 (25:18) The confidence that is put in an vnfaythfull man in tyme of trouble, is like a broken tooth, and a sliding foote.

20 (25:19) Who so taketh away a mans garment in the colde weather, is like vineger vpon lime, or lyke hym that singeth songues to an heauie heart.

21 (25:20) If thyne enemie hunger, feede hym, if he thirst, geue him drinke:

22 (25:21) For so shalt thou heape coles of fire vpon his head, and the Lorde shall rewarde thee.