Proverbs 25
1 THESE ARE ALSO PARABLES of Salomon, which the men of Hezekiah King of Iudah copied out.
These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
2 The glorie of God is to conceale a thing secret: but the Kings honour 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 heaues in height, and the earth in deepenes, and the Kings heart can no man search out.
The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4 Take the drosse from the siluer, and there shall proceede a vessell for the finer.
Take away the dross from the silver, and there cometh forth a vessel for the refiner;
5 Take away the wicked from the King, and his throne shall be stablished in righteousnes.
Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
6 Boast not thy selfe before the King, and stand not in the place of great men.
Glorify not thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men;
7 For it is better, that it be saide vnto thee, Come vp hither, then thou to be put lower in the presece of the prince whom thine eyes haue seene.
For better is it 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 have seen.
8 Goe not foorth hastily to strife, least thou know not what to doe in the ende thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.
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.
9 Debate thy matter with thy neighbour, and discouer not the secret to another,
Debate thy cause with thy neighbour, but reveal not the secret of another;
10 Least he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamie doe not cease.
Lest he that heareth it revile thee, and thine infamy turn not away.
11 A word spoken in his place, is like apples of golde with pictures of siluer.
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
12 He that reprooueth the wise, and the obedient eare, is as a golden earering and an ornament of fine golde.
As an ear-ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.
13 As the colde of the snowe in the time of haruest, so is a faithfull messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soule of his masters.
As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to him that sendeth him; for he refresheth the soul of his master.
14 A man that boasteth of false liberalitie, is like cloudes and winde without raine.
As vapours and wind without rain, so is he that boasteth himself of a false gift.
15 A Prince is pacified by staying of anger, and a soft tongue breaketh the bones.
By long forbearing is a ruler persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
16 If thou haue found hony, eate that is sufficient for thee, least thou be ouerfull, and vomit it.
Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.
17 Withdrawe thy foote from thy neighbours house, least he be weary of thee, and hate thee.
Let thy foot be seldom in thy neighbour's house; lest he be sated with thee, and hate thee.
18 A man that beareth false witnes against his neighbour, is like an hammer and a sword, and a sharpe arrowe.
As a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow, so is a man that beareth false witness against his neighbour.
19 Confidence in an vnfaythfull man in time of trouble, is like a broken tooth and a sliding foote.
Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
20 Hee that taketh away the garment in the colde season, is like vineger powred vpon nitre, or like him that singeth songs to an heauy heart.
As one that taketh off a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to a heavy heart.
21 If hee that hateth thee be hungry, giue him bread to eate, and if he be thirstie, giue him water to drinke.
If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink;
22 For thou shalt lay coles vpon his head, and the Lord shall recompense thee.
For thou wilt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD will reward thee.
23 As the Northwinde driueth away the raine, so doeth an angry countenance the slandering tongue.
The north wind bringeth forth rain, and a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.
24 It is better to dwell in a corner of the house top, then with a contentious woman in a wide house.
It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than in a house in common with a contentious woman.
25 As are the colde waters to a weary soule, so is good newes from a farre countery.
As cold waters to a faint soul, so is good news from a far country.
26 A righteous man falling downe before the wicked, is like a troubled well, and a corrupt spring.
As a troubled fountain, and a corrupted spring, so is a righteous man that giveth way before the wicked.
27 It is not good to eate much hony: so to search their owne glory is not glory.
It is not good to eat much honey; so for men to search out their own glory is not glory.
28 A man that refraineth not his appetite, is like a citie which is broken downe and without walles.
Like a city broken down and without a wall, so is he whose spirit is without restraint.
