Proverbs 25

1 These also, are proverbs of Solomon, —which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah transcribed.

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

2 The glory of God, is to conceal a thing, but, the glory of kings, is to search out a thing.

It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.

3 The heavens for height, and the earth for depth, but, the heart of kings, cannot be searched.

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 there cometh forth, to the refiner, a vessel:

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

5 Remove a lawless man from before the king, that his throne, may be established in righteousness.

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

6 Do not honour thyself before a king, nor, in the place of great men, do thou stand;

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

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 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 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.

Do not be hasty in bringing charges to court. What will you do in the end when your neighbor shames you?

9 Thy contention, urge thou with thy neighbour, and, the secret of another, do not reveal:

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

10 Lest he that heareth expose thee, and, the report concerning thee, turn not away.

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

11 Golden fruit in figured silver baskets, is a word spoken on fitting occasion.

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

12 A ring of gold, and a vessel of precious metal, is a wise reprover, on a hearing 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 day of harvest, is a faithful messenger to them who send him, —when, the life of his masters, he restoreth.

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, when rain there is none, is the man who boasteth himself of a pretended gift.

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

15 By long patience, is a judge persuaded, and, a soft tongue, breaketh the bone.

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

16 Honey having found, eat to suffice thee, lest thou loathe it, and vomit it forth.

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

17 Withhold thy foot from the house of thy neighbour, —lest he be weary of thee, and hate thee.

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

18 A hammer and a sword, and a sharpened arrow, is a man becoming a 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 A broken tooth and a faltering foot, is confidence in the treacherous, in the day of danger.

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

20 As splendour of dress on a cold day—vinegar upon nitre, so is a singer with songs, unto a sad 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 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 is thirsty, give him something to drink,

22 For, burning coals, shalt thou be heaping upon his head, —and, Yahweh, will repay thee.

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

23 A north wind, bringeth forth rain, and, a face stirred with indignation, a secretive tongue.

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

24 Better to dwell on the corner of the roof, than a quarrelsome wife, and a house in common.

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

25 As cold water to a thirsty soul, so is a good report from a far country.

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

26 A fountain fouled, a spring spoiled, is a righteous man tottering before one who is lawless.

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

27 To eat honey in abundance, is not good, nor is, searching out their own honour, an honourable thing.

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

28 A city broken down without a wall, is a man who hath no control over his own spirit.

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