Proverbs 25
1 These [are] also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah 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 a thing: but the honour of kings [is] to search out a matter.
It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
3 The heaven 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 shall come forth a vessel for the finer.
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 forth thyself in the presence of 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 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 have seen.
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 neighbor shames you?
9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbour [himself; ] and discover not a secret to another:
Debate your case with your neighbor, and don’t betray the confidence of another,
10 Lest he that heareth [it] put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.
lest one who hears it put you to shame, and your bad reputation never depart.
11 A word fitly spoken [is like] apples of gold in pictures of silver.
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
12 [As] an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, [so is] a wise reprover upon an 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 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 Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift [is like] clouds and wind without rain.
As clouds and wind without rain, so is he who boasts of gifts deceptively.
15 By long forbearing is a prince 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 filled 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 Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour’s house; lest he be weary of thee, and [so] 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] a maul, 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 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble [is like] a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
Confidence in someone unfaithful in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a lame foot.
20 [As] he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, [and as] vinegar upon nitre, so [is] he that singeth songs to an heavy 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 the LORD shall reward thee.
for you will heap coals of fire on his head, and Yahweh will reward you.
23 The north wind driveth away rain: so [doth] an 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 the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.
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 righteous man falling down before the wicked [is as] a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.
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: so [for men] to search their own glory [is not] glory.
It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it honorable to seek one’s own honor.
28 He that [hath] no rule over his own spirit [is like] a city [that is] broken down, [and] without walls.
Like a city that is broken down and without walls is a man whose spirit is without restraint.
