Proverbs 25
1 Also these ben the Parablis of Salomon, whiche the men of Ezechie, kyng of Juda, translatiden.
These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
2 The glorie of God is to hele a word; and the glorie of kyngis is to seke out a word.
It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
3 Heuene aboue, and the erthe bynethe, and the herte of kyngis is vnserchable.
As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
4 Do thou a wei rust fro siluer, and a ful cleene vessel schal go out.
Take away the dross from the silver, and material comes out for the refiner.
5 Do thou awei vnpite fro the cheer of the kyng, and his trone schal be maad stidfast bi riytfulnesse.
Take away the wicked from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness.
6 Appere thou not gloriouse bifore the kyng, and stonde thou not in the place of grete men.
Don’t exalt yourself in the presence of the king, or claim a place amongst great men;
7 For it is betere, that it be seid to thee, Stie thou hidur, than that thou be maad low bifore the prince.
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 Brynge thou not forth soone tho thingis in strijf, whiche thin iyen sien; lest aftirward thou maist not amende, whanne thou hast maad thi frend vnhonest.
Don’t be hasty in bringing charges to court. What will you do in the end when your neighbour shames you?
9 Trete thi cause with thi frend, and schewe thou not priuyte to a straunge man;
Debate your case with your neighbour, and don’t betray the confidence of another,
10 lest perauenture he haue ioye of thi fal, whanne he hath herde, and ceesse not to do schenschipe to thee. Grace and frenschip delyueren, whiche kepe thou to thee, that thou be not maad repreuable.
lest one who hears it put you to shame, and your bad reputation never depart.
11 A goldun pomel in beddis of siluer is he, that spekith a word in his time.
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
12 A goldun eere ryng, and a schinynge peerle is he, that repreueth a wijs man, and an eere obeiynge.
As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover to an obedient ear.
13 As the coold of snow in the dai of heruest, so a feithful messanger to hym that sente `thilke messanger, makith his soule to haue reste.
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 A cloude and wind, and reyn not suynge, is a gloriouse man, and not fillynge biheestis.
As clouds and wind without rain, so is he who boasts of gifts deceptively.
15 A prince schal be maad soft bi pacience; and a soft tunge schal breke hardnesse.
By patience a ruler is persuaded. A soft tongue breaks the bone.
16 Thou hast founde hony, ete thou that that suffisith to thee; lest perauenture thou be fillid, and brake it out.
Have you found honey? Eat as much as is sufficient for you, lest you eat too much, and vomit it.
17 Withdrawe thi foot fro the hous of thi neiybore; lest sum tyme he be fillid, and hate thee.
Let your foot be seldom in your neighbour’s house, lest he be weary of you, and hate you.
18 A dart, and a swerd, and a scharp arowe, a man that spekith fals witnessing ayens his neiybore.
A man who gives false testimony against his neighbour is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.
19 A rotun tooth, and a feynt foot is he, that hopith on an vnfeithful man in the dai of angwisch,
Confidence in someone unfaithful in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a lame foot.
20 and leesith his mentil in the dai of coold. Vynegre in a vessel of salt is he, that singith songis to the worste herte. As a mouyte noieth a cloth, and a worm noieth a tree, so the sorewe of a man noieth the herte.
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 thin enemy hungrith, feede thou him; if he thirstith, yyue thou watir to hym to drinke;
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat. If he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
22 for thou schalt gadere togidere coolis on his heed; and the Lord schal yelde to thee.
for you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the LORD will reward you.
23 The north wind scatereth reynes; and a sorewful face distrieth a tunge bacbitinge.
The north wind produces rain; so a backbiting tongue brings an angry face.
24 It is betere to sitte in the corner of an hous without roof, than with a womman ful of chidyng, and in a comyn hous.
It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than to share a house with a contentious woman.
25 Coold watir to a thirsti man; and a good messanger fro a fer lond.
Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
26 A welle disturblid with foot, and a veyne brokun, a iust man fallinge bifore a wickid man.
Like a muddied spring and a polluted well, so is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
27 As it is not good to hym that etith myche hony; so he that is a serchere of maieste, schal be put doun fro glorie.
It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it honourable to seek one’s own honour.
28 As a citee opyn, and with out cumpas of wallis; so is a man that mai not refreyne his spirit in speking.
Like a city that is broken down and without walls is a man whose spirit is without restraint.
