Proverbs 25

1 These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.

These are also 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 honor of kings is to search out a matter.

3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.

The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.

4 Take away the dross from the silver, and material comes out for the refiner;

Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.

5 Take away the wicked from the king's presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness.

Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.

6 Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king, or claim a place among great men;

Put not forth yourself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men:

7 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.

For better it is 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 be hasty in bringing charges to court. What will you do in the end when your neighbor shames you?

Go not forth hastily to strive, lest you know not what to do in the end thereof, when your neighbor has put you to shame.

9 Debate your case with your neighbor, and do not betray the confidence of another;

Debate your cause with your neighbor himself; and discover not a secret to another:

10 lest one who hears it put you to shame, and your bad reputation never depart.

Lest he that hears it put you to shame, and your infamy turn not away.

11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.

12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover to an obedient ear.

As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover on an obedient ear.

13 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.

As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refreshes the soul of his masters.

14 As clouds and wind without rain, so is he who boasts of gifts deceptively.

Whoever boasts himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.

15 By patience a ruler is persuaded. A soft tongue breaks the bone.

By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaks the bone.

16 Have you found honey? Eat as much as is sufficient for you, lest you eat too much, and vomit it.

Have you found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for you, lest you be filled therewith, and vomit it.

17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house, lest he be weary of you, and hate you.

Withdraw your foot from your neighbor’s house; lest he be weary of you, and so hate you.

18 A man who gives false testimony against his neighbor is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.

A man that bears false witness against his neighbor is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.

19 Confidence in someone unfaithful in time of trouble is like a bad tooth, or a lame foot.

Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.

20 As one who takes away a garment in cold weather, or vinegar on soda, so is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.

As he that takes away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar on nitre, so is he that singes songs to an heavy heart.

21 If your enemy is hungry, give him something to eat. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink,

If your enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:

22 for by doing this you will heap coals of fire on his head, and YHWH will reward you.

For you shall heap coals of fire on his head, and the LORD shall reward you.

23 The north wind brings forth rain: so a backbiting tongue brings an angry face.

The north wind drives away rain: so does an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.

24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than to share a house with a contentious woman.

It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.

25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.

As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.

26 Like a muddied spring, and a polluted well, so is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.

A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.

27 It is not good to eat much honey; nor is it honorable to seek one's own honor.

It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.

28 Like a city that is broken down and without walls is a man whose spirit is without restraint.

He that has no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.