Proverbs 25
1 These are additional proverbs of Solomon, which were copied by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:
These are more proverbs of Solomon, collected by the scribes of Hezekiah, king of Judah.
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to search it out.
God's greatness is in doing things that can't be known, while the greatness of kings is in revealing things.
3 As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings cannot be searched.
Just as the height of the heavens or the depth of the earth can't be known, the king's thinking can't be known.
4 Remove the dross from the silver, and a vessel for a silversmith will come forth.
Remove the waste from the silver, and the silversmith has pure silver to work with.
5 Remove the wicked from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness.
Remove the wicked from the king's presence and the king will rule securely and justly.
6 Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king, and do not stand in the place of great men;
Don't try to make yourself look great before the king, and don't pretend to be among the important people,
7 for it is better that he says to you, “Come up here!” than that you should be demoted in the presence of the prince. Even what you have seen with your own eyes,
for it's better to be told, “Come up here,” than to be humiliated before a nobleman. Even though you've seen something with your own eyes,
8 do not bring hastily to court. Otherwise, what will you do in the end when your neighbor puts you to shame?
don't rush to take legal action, for what are you going to do in the end when your neighbor shows you're wrong and humiliates you?
9 Argue your case with your neighbor without betraying another’s confidence,
Discuss the case with your neighbor himself, and don't betray someone else's secret,
10 lest the one who hears may disgrace you, and your infamy never go away.
otherwise whoever hears it will make you ashamed and you'll never lose your bad reputation.
11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
Advice given at the right time is like golden apples set in silver.
12 Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear.
Constructive criticism from the wise to someone who listens is like a gold ring and a necklace of fine gold.
13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.
Faithful messengers are as refreshing to their master as cold snow on a hot harvest day.
14 Like clouds and wind without rain is the man who boasts of gifts never given.
Someone who boasts about a gift they never give is like cloud and wind without rain.
15 Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
If you're patient you can persuade your superior, and soft words can break down opposition.
16 If you find honey, eat just what you need, lest you have too much and vomit it up.
If you find honey, eat just enough, for if you eat too much, you'll be sick.
17 Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, lest he grow weary and hate you.
Don't set foot in your neighbors' homes too often, otherwise they'll get fed up with you and hate you.
18 Like a club or sword or sharp arrow is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor.
Telling lies in court against a friend is like attacking them with a mace, or a sword, or an arrow.
19 Like a broken tooth or a foot out of joint is confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble.
Trusting in unreliable people in times of trouble is like eating with a broken tooth or walking on a bad foot.
20 Like one who removes a garment on a cold day or vinegar poured on a wound is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
Singing happy songs to someone who's broken-hearted is like taking off your coat on a cold day, or pouring vinegar onto an open wound.
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
If your enemy is hungry, give him something to eat; if he's thirsty, give him a drink of water.
22 For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.
This will make him ashamed as if he had burning coals piled on his head, and the Lord will reward you.
23 As the north wind brings forth rain, so a backbiting tongue brings angry looks.
In the same way that the north wind brings rain, slandering people makes them angry.
24 Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
It's better to live in a corner of a housetop than to share a whole house with an argumentative wife.
25 Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land.
Good news from a distant country is like cold water to an exhausted traveler.
26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted well is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked.
Good people who give in to the wicked are like a muddied spring or a polluted well.
27 It is not good to eat too much honey or to search out one’s own glory.
It's not good to eat too much honey, or to want too much praise.
28 Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who does not control his temper.
Someone without control is as exposed as a town whose walls have been breached.
