25:1 These also are proverbs of Solomon,
which the men of King Hezekiah of Judah copied: 1
25:2 It is the glory of God 2 to conceal 3 a matter,
and it is the glory of a king to search out a matter.
25:3 As the heaven is high 4 and the earth is deep
so the hearts of kings are unsearchable. 5
25:4 Remove the dross from the silver,
and material 6 for the silversmith will emerge;
25:5 remove the wicked from before the king, 7
and his throne 8 will be established in righteousness. 9
25:6 Do not honor yourself before the king,
and do not stand in the place of great men;
25:7 for it is better for him 10 to say to you, “Come up here,” 11
than to put you lower 12 before a prince,
whom your eyes have seen. 13
25:8 Do not go out hastily to litigation, 14
or 15 what will you do afterward
when your neighbor puts you to shame?
25:9 When you argue a case 16 with your neighbor,
do not reveal the secret of another person, 17
25:10 lest the one who hears it put you to shame
and your infamy 18 will never go away.
25:11 Like apples of gold in settings of silver, 19
so is a word skillfully spoken. 20
25:12 Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold, 21
so is a wise reprover to the ear of the one who listens. 22
25:13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest, 23
so is a faithful messenger to those who send him,
for he refreshes the heart 24 of his masters.
25:14 Like cloudy skies and wind that produce no rain, 25
so is the one who boasts 26 of a gift not given. 27