Proverbs 25 (MSG)

¹There are also these proverbs of Solomon, collected by scribes of Hezekiah, king of Judah.

²God delights in concealing things; scientists delight in discovering things.

³Like the horizons for breadth and the ocean for depth, the understanding of a good leader is broad and deep.

⁴Remove impurities from the silver and the silversmith can craft a fine chalice;

⁵Remove the wicked from leadership and authority will be credible and God-honoring.

⁶Don't work yourself into the spotlight; don't push your way into the place of prominence.

⁷It's better to be promoted to a place of honor than face humiliation by being demoted.

⁸Don't jump to conclusions—there may be a perfectly good explanation for what you just saw.

⁹In the heat of an argument, don't betray confidences;

¹⁰Word is sure to get around, and no one will trust you.

¹¹The right word at the right time is like a custom-made piece of jewelry,

¹²And a wise friend's timely reprimand is like a gold ring slipped on your finger.

¹³Reliable friends who do what they say are like cool drinks in sweltering heat—refreshing!

¹⁴Like billowing clouds that bring no rain is the person who talks big but never produces.

¹⁵Patient persistence pierces through indifference; gentle speech breaks down rigid defenses.

¹⁶When you're given a box of candy, don't gulp it all down; eat too much chocolate and you'll make yourself sick;

¹⁷And when you find a friend, don't outwear your welcome; show up at all hours and he'll soon get fed up.

¹⁸Anyone who tells lies against the neighbors in court or on the street is a loose cannon.

¹⁹Trusting a double-crosser when you're in trouble is like biting down on an abscessed tooth.

²⁰Singing light songs to the heavyhearted is like pouring salt in their wounds.

²¹If you see your enemy hungry, go buy him lunch; if he's thirsty, bring him a drink.

²²Your generosity will surprise him with goodness, and God will look after you.

²³A north wind brings stormy weather, and a gossipy tongue stormy looks.

²⁴Better to live alone in a tumbledown shack than share a mansion with a nagging spouse.

²⁵Like a cool drink of water when you're worn out and weary is a letter from a long-lost friend.

²⁶A good person who gives in to a bad person is a muddied spring, a polluted well.

²⁷It's not smart to stuff yourself with sweets, nor is glory piled on glory good for you.

²⁸A person without self-control is like a house with its doors and windows knocked out.