Proverbs 25
1 These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable.
As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
4 Take away the dross from the silver, and there comes forth a vessel for the refiner.
Take away the dross from the silver, and material comes out for the refiner;
5 Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
Take away the wicked from the king's presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness.
6 Put not thyself forward in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men.
Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king, or claim a place among great men;
7 For it is better that it be said to thee, Come up here, than that thou should be put lower in the presence of the prince, whom thine eyes have seen.
for it is better that it be said to you, "Come up here," than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince, whom your eyes have seen.
8 Go not forth hastily to strive. What will thou do in the end of it when thy neighbor has put thee to shame?
Do not be hasty in bringing charges to court. What will you do in the end when your neighbor shames you?
9 Debate thy case with thy neighbor himself, and disclose not the secret of another,
Debate your case with your neighbor, and do not betray the confidence of another;
10 lest he who hears it revile thee, and thine infamy turn not away.
lest one who hears it put you to shame, and your bad reputation never depart.
11 A word fitly spoken is apples of gold in a network of silver.
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
12 An earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.
As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover to an obedient ear.
13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, is a faithful messenger to those who send him, for he refreshes the soul of his masters.
As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to those who send him; for he refreshes the soul of his masters.
14 Clouds and wind without rain, is he who boasts himself of his gifts falsely.
As clouds and wind without rain, so is he who boasts of gifts deceptively.
15 By long-suffering a ruler is persuaded, and a soft tongue breaks the bone.
By patience a ruler is persuaded. A soft tongue breaks the bone.
16 Have thou found honey? Eat as much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled with it, and vomit it.
Have you found honey? Eat as much as is sufficient for you, lest you eat too much, and vomit it.
17 Let thy foot be seldom in thy neighbor's house, lest he be weary of thee, and hate thee.
Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house, lest he be weary of you, and hate you.
18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
A man who gives false testimony against his neighbor is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.
19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
Confidence in someone unfaithful in time of trouble is like a bad tooth, or a lame foot.
20 As he who takes off a garment in cold weather, and vinegar upon soda, so is he who sings songs to a heavy heart.
As one who takes away a garment in cold weather, or vinegar on soda, so is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
21 If thine enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
If your enemy is hungry, give him something to eat. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink,
22 For thou will heap coals of fire upon his head, and Jehovah will reward thee.
for by doing this you will heap coals of fire on his head, and Jehovah will reward you.
23 The north wind brings forth rain. So does a backbiting tongue, an angry countenance.
The north wind brings forth rain: so a backbiting tongue brings an angry face.
24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a contentious woman in a wide house.
It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than to share a house with a contentious woman.
25 As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
26 A troubled fountain, and a corrupted spring, is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
Like a muddied spring, and a polluted well, so is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
27 It is not good to eat much honey, so for men to search out their own glory is grievous.
It is not good to eat much honey; nor is it honorable to seek one's own honor.
28 He whose spirit is without restraint is a city that is broken down and without walls.
Like a city that is broken down and without walls is a man whose spirit is without restraint.
