English / ERV
Proverbs 25
Easy-to-Read Version, 2006
- 1These are some more wise sayings from Solomon. These proverbs were copied by servants of Hezekiah, the king of Judah.
- 2We honor God for the things he keeps secret. But we honor kings for the things they can discover.
- 3We cannot discover how high the sky is above us or how deep the earth is below. The same is true with the minds of kings. We cannot understand them.
- 4Remove the worthless things from silver to make it pure, and a worker can make something beautiful.
- 5Take the evil advisors away from a king, and goodness will make his kingdom strong.
- 6Don’t brag about yourself before the king and pretend you are someone important.
- 7It is much better for the king to invite you to take a more important position than to embarrass you in front of his officials.
- 8Don’t be too quick to tell a judge about something you saw. You will be embarrassed if someone else proves you wrong.
- 9If you want to tell your friends about your own problems, tell them. But don’t discuss what someone told you in private.
- 10Whoever hears it will lose their respect for you and will never trust you again.
- 11Saying the right thing at the right time is like a golden apple in a silver setting.
- 12Wise advice to a listening ear is like gold earrings or fine jewelry.
- 13To his master who sent him, a messenger who can be trusted is as refreshing as a drink of cold water on a hot summer day.[1]
- 14People who promise to give gifts but never give them are like clouds and wind that bring no rain.