Proverbs 25
1 These also, are proverbs of Solomon, —which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah transcribed.
These are more proverbs of Solomon, collected by the scribes 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.
God's greatness is in doing things that can't be known, while the greatness of kings is in revealing things.
3 The heavens for height, and the earth for depth, but, the heart of kings, cannot be searched.
Just as the height of the heavens or the depth of the earth can't be known, the king's thinking can't be known.
4 Remove the dross from the silver, and there cometh forth, to the refiner, a vessel:
Remove the waste from the silver, and the silversmith has pure silver to work with.
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 the king will rule securely and justly.
6 Do not honour thyself before a king, nor, in the place of great men, do thou stand;
Don't try to make yourself look great before the king, and don't pretend to be among the important people,
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's better to be told, “Come up here,” than to be humiliated before a nobleman. Even though you've seen something 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.
don't rush to take legal action, for what are you going to do in the end when your neighbor shows you're wrong and humiliates you?
9 Thy contention, urge thou with thy neighbour, and, the secret of another, do not reveal:
Discuss the case with your neighbor himself, and don't betray someone else's secret,
10 Lest he that heareth expose thee, and, the report concerning thee, turn not away.
otherwise whoever hears it will make you ashamed and you'll never lose your bad reputation.
11 Golden fruit in figured silver baskets, is a word spoken on fitting occasion.
Advice given at the right time is like golden apples set in silver.
12 A ring of gold, and a vessel of precious metal, is a wise reprover, on a hearing ear.
Constructive criticism from the wise to someone who listens is like a gold ring and a necklace of fine gold.
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.
Faithful messengers are as refreshing to their master as cold snow on a hot harvest day.
14 Clouds and wind, when rain there is none, is the man who boasteth himself of a pretended gift.
Someone who boasts about a gift they never give is like cloud and wind without rain.
15 By long patience, is a judge persuaded, and, a soft tongue, breaketh the bone.
If you're patient you can persuade your superior, and soft words can break down opposition.
16 Honey having found, eat to suffice thee, lest thou loathe it, and vomit it forth.
If you find honey, eat just enough, for if you eat too much, you'll be sick.
17 Withhold thy foot from the house of thy neighbour, —lest he be weary of thee, and hate thee.
Don't set foot in your neighbors' homes too often, otherwise they'll get fed up with you and hate you.
18 A hammer and a sword, and a sharpened arrow, is a man becoming a false witness against his neighbour.
Telling lies in court against a friend is like attacking them with a mace, or a sword, or an arrow.
19 A broken tooth and a faltering foot, is confidence in the treacherous, in the day of danger.
Trusting in unreliable people in times of trouble is like eating with a broken tooth or walking on a bad foot.
20 As splendour of dress on a cold day—vinegar upon nitre, so is a singer with songs, unto a sad heart.
Singing happy songs to someone who's broken-hearted is like taking off your coat on a cold day, or pouring vinegar onto an open wound.
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 something to eat; if he's thirsty, give him a drink of water.
22 For, burning coals, shalt thou be heaping upon his head, —and, Yahweh, will repay thee.
This will make him ashamed as if he had burning coals piled 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.
In the same way that the north wind brings rain, slandering people makes them angry.
24 Better to dwell on the corner of the roof, than a quarrelsome wife, and a house in common.
It's better to live in a corner of a housetop than to share a whole house with an argumentative wife.
25 As cold water to a thirsty soul, so is a good report from a far country.
Good news from a distant country is like cold water to an exhausted traveler.
26 A fountain fouled, a spring spoiled, is a righteous man tottering before one who is lawless.
Good people who give in to the wicked are like a muddied spring or a polluted well.
27 To eat honey in abundance, is not good, nor is, searching out their own honour, an honourable thing.
It's not good to eat too much honey, or to want too much praise.
28 A city broken down without a wall, is a man who hath no control over his own spirit.
Someone without control is as exposed as a town whose walls have been breached.
