Proverbs 25
1 These are also parables of Solomon, which the men of Ezechias king of Juda 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 the word, and the glory of kings to search out the speech.
It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
3 The heaven above, and the earth beneath, 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 rust from silver, and there shall come forth a most pure vessel:
Take away the dross from the silver, and material comes out for the refiner.
5 Take away wickedness from the face of the king, and his throne shall be established with justice.
Take away the wicked from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness.
6 Appear not glorious before the king, and stand not in the place of great men.
Don’t exalt yourself in the presence of the king, or claim a place among great men;
7 For it is better that it should be said to thee: Come up hither; than that thou shouldst be humbled before the prince.
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 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.
Don’t be hasty in bringing charges to court. What will you do in the end when your neighbor shames you?
9 Treat thy cause with thy friend, and discover not the secret to a stranger:
Debate your case with your neighbor, and don’t betray the confidence of another,
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.
lest one who hears it put you to shame, and your bad reputation never depart.
11 To speak a word in due time, is like apples of gold on beds of silver.
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
12 As an earring of gold and a bright pearl, so is he that reproveth the wise, and the 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, so is a faithful messenger to him that sent him, for he refresheth his soul.
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 As clouds, and wind, when no rain followeth, so is the man that boasteth, and doth not fulfill his promises.
As clouds and wind without rain, so is he who boasts of gifts deceptively.
15 By patience a prince shall be appeased, and a soft tongue shall break hardness.
By patience a ruler is persuaded. A soft tongue breaks the bone.
16 Thou hast found honey, eat what is sufficient for thee, lest being glutted therewith thou vomit it up.
Have you found honey? Eat as much as is sufficient for you, lest you eat too much, and vomit it.
17 Withdraw thy foot from the house of thy neighbour, lest having his fill he hate thee.
Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house, lest he be weary 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 gives false testimony against his neighbor is like a club, 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,
Confidence in someone unfaithful in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a lame foot.
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.
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 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. 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 heap 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.
The north wind produces rain; so a backbiting tongue brings an angry face.
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 dwell in the corner of the housetop than to share a house with a contentious woman.
25 As cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good tidings from a far country.
Like cold water to a thirsty soul, 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 muddied spring and a polluted well, so is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
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 much honey, nor is it honorable to seek one’s own 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.
Like a city that is broken down and without walls is a man whose spirit is without restraint.
