Proverbs 25
1 These are more proverbs of Solomon, copied by the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah.
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 matter, but the glory of kings to search it out.
It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
3 Like the heavens are for height and the earth is for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable.
As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
4 Remove the dross from the silver and a metal worker can use the silver in his craft.
Take away the dross from the silver, and material comes out for the refiner;
5 Even so, remove wicked people from the presence of the king and his throne will be established by doing what is right.
Take away the wicked from the king's presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness.
6 Do not honor yourself in the king's presence and do not stand in the place designated for great people.
Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king, or claim a place among great men;
7 It is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,” than for him to humiliate you before a nobleman. What you have witnessed,
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 do not bring quickly to trial. For what will you do in the end when your neighbor puts you to shame?
Do not be hasty in bringing charges to court. What will you do in the end when your neighbor shames you?
9 Argue your case between you and your neighbor himself and do not disclose another's secret,
Debate your case with your neighbor, and do not betray the confidence of another;
10 or else the one who hears you will bring shame upon you and an evil report about you that cannot be silenced.
lest one who hears it put you to shame, and your bad reputation never depart.
11 Apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in the right situation.
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
12 A gold ring or jewelry made of fine gold is a wise rebuke to a listening ear.
As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover to an obedient ear.
13 Like the cold of snow at harvest time is a faithful messenger for those who sent him; he brings back the life 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 Clouds and wind without rain is the one who boasts about a gift he does not give.
As clouds and wind without rain, so is he who boasts of gifts deceptively.
15 With patience a ruler can be persuaded and a soft tongue can break a bone.
By patience a ruler is persuaded. A soft tongue breaks the bone.
16 If you find honey, eat just enough— otherwise, having too much of it, you vomit it up.
Have you found honey? Eat as much as is sufficient for you, lest you eat too much, and vomit it.
17 Do not set your foot in your neighbor's house too often, he may become tired of you and hate you.
Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house, lest he be weary of you, and hate you.
18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a club used in war, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.
A man who gives false testimony against his neighbor is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.
19 An unfaithful man in whom you trust in a time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.
Confidence in someone unfaithful in time of trouble is like a bad tooth, or a lame foot.
20 Like a person who takes off a garment in cold weather, or like vinegar poured upon carbonate of soda, is the one who sings songs to a 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 your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,
If your enemy is hungry, give him something to eat. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink,
22 for you will shovel coals of fire on his head and Yahweh will reward you.
for by doing this you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the LORD will reward you.
23 As surely as the north wind brings rain, so a tongue that tells secrets will result in angry faces.
The north wind brings forth rain: so a backbiting tongue brings an angry face.
24 It is better to live on a corner of the roof than in a house shared with a quarreling wife.
It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than to share a house with a contentious woman.
25 Like cold waters to one who is thirsty, so is good news from a far country.
Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
26 Like a fouled spring or a ruined fountain is a righteous person tottering before wicked people.
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 too much honey; that is like searching for honor after honor.
It is not good to eat much honey; nor is it honorable to seek one's own honor.
28 A person without self-control is like a city breached and without walls.
Like a city that is broken down and without walls is a man whose spirit is without restraint.
