Proverbs 25
1 These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah transcribed.
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 thing.
It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
3 The heavens for height, and the earth for depth, and 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 cometh 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 the great;
Don’t exalt yourself in the presence of the king, or claim a place amongst great men;
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.
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, lest [thou know not] what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.
Don’t be hasty in bringing charges to court. What will you do in the end when your neighbour shames you?
9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbour, but reveal not the secret of another;
Debate your case with your neighbour, and don’t betray the confidence of another,
10 lest he that heareth [it] disgrace thee, and thine evil report turn not away.
lest one who hears it put you to shame, and your bad reputation never depart.
11 [As] apples of gold in pictures of silver, is a word spoken in season.
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
12 An ear-ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, is a wise reprover upon an attentive 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, [so] is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth 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, [so] is a man that boasteth himself of a false gift.
As clouds and wind without rain, so is he who boasts of gifts deceptively.
15 By long forbearing is a ruler persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
By patience a ruler is persuaded. A soft tongue breaks the bone.
16 Hast thou found honey? Eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be surfeited therewith, 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 neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee and hate thee.
Let your foot be seldom in your neighbour’s house, lest he be weary of you, and hate you.
18 A maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow, is a man that beareth false witness against his neighbour.
A man who gives false testimony against his neighbour is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.
19 A broken tooth, and a tottering foot, is confidence in an unfaithful [man] in the day of trouble.
Confidence in someone unfaithful in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a lame foot.
20 [As] he that taketh off a garment in cold weather, [and as] vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to a sad 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 be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat. If he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
22 for thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and Jehovah shall reward thee.
for you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the LORD will reward you.
23 The north wind bringeth forth rain, and the angry countenance a backbiting tongue.
The north wind produces rain; so a backbiting tongue brings an angry face.
24 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a contentious woman, and a house in common.
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 defiled well, is a righteous [man] that giveth 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; and to search into weighty matters is [itself] a weight.
It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it honourable to seek one’s own honour.
28 He that hath no rule over his own spirit is [as] a city broken down, without walls.
Like a city that is broken down and without walls is a man whose spirit is without restraint.
