Proverbs 25
1 These also, are proverbs of Solomon, —which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah transcribed.
These are additional proverbs of Solomon, which were copied by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:
2 The glory of God, is to conceal a thing, but, the glory of kings, is to search out a thing.
It is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to search it out.
3 The heavens for height, and the earth for depth, but, the heart of kings, cannot be searched.
As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings cannot be searched.
4 Remove the dross from the silver, and there cometh forth, to the refiner, a vessel:
Remove the dross from the silver, and a vessel for a silversmith will come forth.
5 Remove a lawless man from before the king, that his throne, may be established in righteousness.
Remove the wicked from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness.
6 Do not honour thyself before a king, nor, in the place of great men, do thou stand;
Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king, and do not stand in the place of great men;
7 For better it be said to thee, Come up hither, —than that thou be put lower down before a noble, whom thine own eyes, have beheld.
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 Do not go forth to strive in haste, —lest [thou know not] what to do in the latter 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 Thy contention, urge thou with thy neighbour, and, the secret of another, do not reveal:
Argue your case with your neighbor without betraying another’s confidence,
10 Lest he that heareth expose thee, and, the report concerning thee, turn not away.
lest the one who hears may disgrace you, and your infamy never go away.
11 Golden fruit in figured silver baskets, is a word spoken on fitting occasion.
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
12 A ring of gold, and a vessel of precious metal, is a wise reprover, on a hearing 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 day of harvest, is a faithful messenger to them who send him, —when, the life of his masters, he restoreth.
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 Clouds and wind, when rain there is none, is the man who boasteth himself of a pretended gift.
Like clouds and wind without rain is the man who boasts of gifts never given.
15 By long patience, is a judge persuaded, and, a soft tongue, breaketh the bone.
Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
16 Honey having found, eat to suffice thee, lest thou loathe it, and vomit it forth.
If you find honey, eat just what you need, lest you have too much and vomit it up.
17 Withhold thy foot from the house of thy neighbour, —lest he be weary of thee, and hate thee.
Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, lest he grow weary and hate you.
18 A hammer and a sword, and a sharpened arrow, is a man becoming a false witness against his neighbour.
Like a club or sword or sharp arrow is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor.
19 A broken tooth and a faltering foot, is confidence in the treacherous, in the day of danger.
Like a broken tooth or a foot out of joint is confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble.
20 As splendour of dress on a cold day—vinegar upon nitre, so is a singer with songs, unto a sad 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 he that hateth thee hunger, 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, burning coals, shalt thou be heaping upon his head, —and, Yahweh, will repay thee.
For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.
23 A north wind, bringeth forth rain, and, a face stirred with indignation, a secretive tongue.
As the north wind brings forth rain, so a backbiting tongue brings angry looks.
24 Better to dwell on the corner of the roof, than a quarrelsome wife, and a house in common.
Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
25 As cold water to a thirsty soul, so is a good report from a far country.
Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land.
26 A fountain fouled, a spring spoiled, is a righteous man tottering before one who is lawless.
Like a muddied spring or a polluted well is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked.
27 To eat honey in abundance, is not good, nor is, searching out their own honour, an honourable thing.
It is not good to eat too much honey or to search out one’s own glory.
28 A city broken down without a wall, is a man who hath no control over his own spirit.
Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who does not control his temper.
