Proverbs 25
1 These are additional proverbs of Solomon, which were copied by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:
These also, are proverbs of Solomon, —which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah transcribed.
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to search it out.
The glory of God, is to conceal a thing, but, the glory of kings, is to search out a thing.
3 As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings cannot be searched.
The heavens for height, and the earth for depth, but, the heart of kings, cannot be searched.
4 Remove the dross from the silver, and a vessel for a silversmith will come forth.
Remove the dross from the silver, and there cometh forth, to the refiner, a vessel:
5 Remove the wicked from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness.
Remove a lawless man from before the king, that his throne, may be established in righteousness.
6 Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king, and do not stand in the place of great men;
Do not honour thyself before a king, nor, in the place of great men, do thou stand;
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 better it be said to thee, Come up hither, —than that thou be put lower down before a noble, whom thine own eyes, have beheld.
8 do not bring hastily to court. Otherwise, what will you do in the end when your neighbor puts you to shame?
Do not go forth to strive in haste, —lest [thou know not] what to do in the latter end thereof, when thy neighbour, hath put thee to shame.
9 Argue your case with your neighbor without betraying another’s confidence,
Thy contention, urge thou with thy neighbour, and, the secret of another, do not reveal:
10 lest the one who hears may disgrace you, and your infamy never go away.
Lest he that heareth expose thee, and, the report concerning thee, turn not away.
11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
Golden fruit in figured silver baskets, is a word spoken on fitting occasion.
12 Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear.
A ring of gold, and a vessel of precious metal, is a wise reprover, on a hearing ear.
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.
As the cold of snow in the day of harvest, is a faithful messenger to them who send him, —when, the life of his masters, he restoreth.
14 Like clouds and wind without rain is the man who boasts of gifts never given.
Clouds and wind, when rain there is none, is the man who boasteth himself of a pretended gift.
15 Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
By long patience, is a judge persuaded, and, a soft tongue, breaketh the bone.
16 If you find honey, eat just what you need, lest you have too much and vomit it up.
Honey having found, eat to suffice thee, lest thou loathe it, and vomit it forth.
17 Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, lest he grow weary and hate you.
Withhold thy foot from the house of thy neighbour, —lest he be weary of thee, and hate thee.
18 Like a club or sword or sharp arrow is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor.
A hammer and a sword, and a sharpened arrow, is a man becoming a false witness against his neighbour.
19 Like a broken tooth or a foot out of joint is confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble.
A broken tooth and a faltering foot, is confidence in the treacherous, in the day of danger.
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.
As splendour of dress on a cold day—vinegar upon nitre, so is a singer with songs, unto a sad heart.
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
If he that hateth thee hunger, give him bread to eat, and, if he be thirsty, give him water to drink;
22 For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.
For, burning coals, shalt thou be heaping upon his head, —and, Yahweh, will repay thee.
23 As the north wind brings forth rain, so a backbiting tongue brings angry looks.
A north wind, bringeth forth rain, and, a face stirred with indignation, a secretive tongue.
24 Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
Better to dwell on the corner of the roof, than a quarrelsome wife, and a house in common.
25 Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land.
As cold water to a thirsty soul, so is a good report from a far country.
26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted well is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked.
A fountain fouled, a spring spoiled, is a righteous man tottering before one who is lawless.
27 It is not good to eat too much honey or to search out one’s own glory.
To eat honey in abundance, is not good, nor is, searching out their own honour, an honourable thing.
28 Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who does not control his temper.
A city broken down without a wall, is a man who hath no control over his own spirit.
