Proverbs 25:6-16

6 Put not thyself forward in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of the great;

7 for better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither, than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes see.

8 Go not forth hastily to strive, lest [thou know not] what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.

9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbour, but reveal not the secret of another;

10 lest he that heareth [it] disgrace thee, and thine evil report turn not away.

11 [As] apples of gold in pictures of silver, is a word spoken in season.

12 An ear-ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, is a wise reprover upon an attentive ear.

13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, [so] is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.

14 Clouds and wind without rain, [so] is a man that boasteth himself of a false gift.

15 By long forbearing is a ruler persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.

16 Hast thou found honey? Eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be surfeited therewith, and vomit it.

Footnotes

• [a] Or 'Make not thyself grand.'
• [b] Or 'noble.'
• [c] Others, 'baskets.'
• [d] Or 'fitly.'
• [e] Or 'falsely of giving.'