< Proverbs 25 >
1 These are also parables of Solomon, which the men of Ezechias king of Juda copied out.
These are more proverbs of Solomon, copied by the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah.
2 It is the glory of God to conceal the word, and the glory of kings to search out the speech.
It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings to search it out.
3 The heaven above, and the earth beneath, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.
Like the heavens are for height and the earth is for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4 Take away the rust from silver, and there shall come forth a most pure vessel:
Remove the dross from the silver and a metal worker can use the silver in his craft.
5 Take away wickedness from the face of the king, and his throne shall be established with justice.
Even so, remove wicked people from the presence of the king and his throne will be established by doing what is right.
6 Appear not glorious before the king, and stand not in the place of great men.
Do not honor yourself in the king's presence and do not stand in the place designated for great people.
7 For it is better that it should be said to thee: Come up hither; than that thou shouldst be humbled before the prince.
It is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,” than for him to humiliate you before a nobleman. What you have witnessed,
8 The things which thy eyes have seen, utter not hastily in a quarrel: lest afterward thou mayst not be able to make amends, when thou hast dishonoured thy friend.
do not bring quickly to trial. For what will you do in the end when your neighbor puts you to shame?
9 Treat thy cause with thy friend, and discover not the secret to a stranger:
Argue your case between you and your neighbor himself and do not disclose another's secret,
10 Lest he insult over thee, when he hath heard it, and cease not to upbraid thee. Grace and friendship deliver a man: keep these for thyself, lest thou fall under reproach.
or else the one who hears you will bring shame upon you and an evil report about you that cannot be silenced.
11 To speak a word in due time, is like apples of gold on beds of silver.
Apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in the right situation.
12 As an earring of gold and a bright pearl, so is he that reproveth the wise, and the obedient ear.
A gold ring or jewelry made of fine gold is a wise rebuke to a listening ear.
13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to him that sent him, for he refresheth his soul.
Like the cold of snow at harvest time is a faithful messenger for those who sent him; he brings back the life of his masters.
14 As clouds, and wind, when no rain followeth, so is the man that boasteth, and doth not fulfill his promises.
Clouds and wind without rain is the one who boasts about a gift he does not give.
15 By patience a prince shall be appeased, and a soft tongue shall break hardness.
With patience a ruler can be persuaded and a soft tongue can break a bone.
16 Thou hast found honey, eat what is sufficient for thee, lest being glutted therewith thou vomit it up.
If you find honey, eat just enough— otherwise, having too much of it, you vomit it up.
17 Withdraw thy foot from the house of thy neighbour, lest having his fill he hate thee.
Do not set your foot in your neighbor's house too often, he may become tired of you and hate you.
18 A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour, is like a dart and a sword and a sharp arrow.
A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a club used in war, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.
19 To trust to an unfaithful man in the time of trouble, is like a rotten tooth, and weary foot,
An unfaithful man in whom you trust in a time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.
20 And one that looseth his garment in cold weather. As vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to a very evil heart. As a moth doth by a garment, and a worm by the wood: so the sadness of a man consumeth the heart.
Like a person who takes off a garment in cold weather, or like vinegar poured upon carbonate of soda, is the one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
21 If thy enemy be hungry, give him to eat: if he thirst, give him water to drink:
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,
22 For thou shalt heap hot coals upon his head, and the Lord will reward thee.
for you will shovel coals of fire on his head and Yahweh will reward you.
23 The north wind driveth away rain, as doth a sad countenance a backbiting tongue.
As surely as the north wind brings rain, so a tongue that tells secrets will result in angry faces.
24 It is better to sit in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman, and in a common house.
It is better to live on a corner of the roof than in a house shared with a quarreling wife.
25 As cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good tidings from a far country.
Like cold waters to one who is thirsty, so is good news from a far country.
26 A just man falling down before the wicked, is as a fountain troubled with the foot, and a corrupted spring.
Like a fouled spring or a ruined fountain is a righteous person tottering before wicked people.
27 As it is not good for a man to eat much honey, so he that is a searcher of majesty, shall be overwhelmed by glory.
It is not good to eat too much honey; that is like searching for honor after honor.
28 As a city that lieth open and is not compassed with walls, so is a man that cannot refrain his own spirit in speaking.
A person without self-control is like a city breached and without walls.