Proverbs 25:6-16

6 Do not claim honor in the presence of the king, And do not stand in the place of great men;

7 For ¹it is better that it be said to you, "Come up here," Than for you to be placed lower in the presence of the prince, Whom your eyes have seen.

8 Do not go out ²hastily to argue your case; Otherwise, what will you do in the end, When your neighbor humiliates you?

9 ³Argue your case with your neighbor, And ⁴do not reveal the secret of another,

10 Or he who hears it will reproach you, And the evil report about you will not pass away.

11 Like apples of gold in settings of silver Is a ⁵word spoken in right circumstances.

12 Like an ⁶earring of gold and an ⁷ornament of ⁸fine gold Is a wise reprover to a ⁹listening ear.

13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest Is a ¹⁰faithful messenger to those who send him, For he refreshes the soul of his masters.

14 Like ¹¹clouds and ¹²wind without rain Is a man who boasts of his gifts falsely.

15 By ¹³forbearance * a ruler may be persuaded, And a soft tongue breaks the bone.

16 Have you ¹⁴found honey? Eat only what you need, That you not have it in excess and vomit it.

Cross References 14