Proverbs 25
1 These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
These are additional proverbs of Solomon, which were copied by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing; but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
It is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to search it out.
3 The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.
As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings cannot be searched.
4 Take away the dross from the silver, and there cometh forth a vessel for the refiner;
Remove the dross from the silver, and a vessel for a silversmith will come forth.
5 Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
Remove the wicked from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness.
6 Glorify not thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men;
Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king, and do not stand in the place of great men;
7 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.
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,
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.
do not bring hastily to court. Otherwise, what will you do in the end when your neighbor puts you to shame?
9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbour, but reveal not the secret of another;
Argue your case with your neighbor without betraying another’s confidence,
10 Lest he that heareth it revile thee, and thine infamy turn not away.
lest the one who hears may disgrace you, and your infamy never go away.
11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
12 As an ear-ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.
Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear.
13 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.
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.
14 As vapours and wind without rain, so is he that boasteth himself of a false gift.
Like clouds and wind without rain is the man who boasts of gifts never given.
15 By long forbearing is a ruler persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
16 Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.
If you find honey, eat just what you need, lest you have too much and vomit it up.
17 Let thy foot be seldom in thy neighbour's house; lest he be sated with thee, and hate thee.
Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, lest he grow weary and hate you.
18 As a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow, so is a man that beareth false witness against his neighbour.
Like a club or sword or sharp arrow is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor.
19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
Like a broken tooth or a foot out of joint is confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble.
20 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.
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.
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, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
22 For thou wilt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD will reward thee.
For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.
23 The north wind bringeth forth rain, and a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.
As the north wind brings forth rain, so a backbiting tongue brings angry looks.
24 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than in a house in common with a contentious woman.
Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
25 As cold waters to a faint soul, so is good news from a far country.
Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land.
26 As a troubled fountain, and a corrupted spring, so is a righteous man that giveth way before the wicked.
Like a muddied spring or a polluted well is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked.
27 It is not good to eat much honey; so for men to search out their own glory is not glory.
It is not good to eat too much honey or to search out one’s own glory.
28 Like a city broken down and without a wall, so is he whose spirit is without restraint.
Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who does not control his temper.
