Proverbs 25
1 These also are 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 glory 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 cometh forth a vessel for the refiner;
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 Glorify not thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men;
Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king, or claim a place among great men;
7 For better is it 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.
Do not 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, but reveal not the secret of another;
Debate your case with your neighbor, and do not betray the confidence of another;
10 Lest he that heareth it revile thee, 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 settings of silver.
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
12 As an ear-ring 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 him that sendeth him; for he refresheth the soul of his master.
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 As vapours and wind without rain, so is he that boasteth himself of a false gift.
As clouds and wind without rain, so is he who boasts of gifts deceptively.
15 By long forbearing is a ruler 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 Let thy foot be seldom in thy neighbour's house; lest he be sated with thee, and hate thee.
Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house, lest he be weary of you, and hate you.
18 As a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow, so is a man that beareth false witness against his neighbour.
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 one that taketh off a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth 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 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 something to eat. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink,
22 For thou wilt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD will reward thee.
for by doing this you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the LORD will reward you.
23 The north wind bringeth forth rain, and a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.
The north wind brings forth rain: so a backbiting tongue brings an angry face.
24 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than in a house in common with a contentious woman.
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 faint 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 As a troubled fountain, and a corrupted spring, so is a righteous man that giveth way before the wicked.
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 out 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 Like a city broken down and without a wall, so is he whose spirit is without restraint.
Like a city that is broken down and without walls is a man whose spirit is without restraint.
