Proverbs 25
1 These are more proverbs of Solomon, copied by the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah.
These, too, are parables of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, transferred.
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings to search it out.
It is to the glory of God to conceal a word, and it is to the glory of kings to investigate speech.
3 Like the heavens are for height and the earth is for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable.
Heaven above, and earth below, and the heart of kings are each unsearchable.
4 Remove the dross from the silver and a metal worker can use the silver in his craft.
Take away the tarnish from silver, and a most pure vessel will go forth.
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 impiety from the face of the king, and his throne shall be made firm by justice.
6 Do not honor yourself in the king's presence and do not stand in the place designated for great people.
Do not appear glorious before the king, and do not stand in the place of the great.
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 should be said to you, “Ascend to here,” than that you should be humbled before the prince.
8 do not bring quickly to trial. For what will you do in the end when your neighbor puts you to shame?
The things that your eyes have seen, do not offer hastily in a quarrel, lest afterward you may not be able to make amends, when you have dishonored your friend.
9 Argue your case between you and your neighbor himself and do not disclose another's secret,
Argue your case with your friend, and do not reveal the secret to an outsider,
10 or else the one who hears you will bring shame upon you and an evil report about you that cannot be silenced.
lest perhaps he may insult you, when he has heard it, and he might not cease to reproach you. Grace and friendship free a man; preserve these for yourself, lest you fall under reproach.
11 Apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in the right situation.
Whoever speaks a word at an opportune time is like apples of gold on beds of silver.
12 A gold ring or jewelry made of fine gold is a wise rebuke to a listening ear.
Whoever reproves the wise and obedient ear is like an earring of gold with a shining pearl.
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.
Just like the cold of snow in a time of harvest, so also is a faithful messenger to him who sent him: he causes his soul to rest.
14 Clouds and wind without rain is the one who boasts about a gift he does not give.
A man who boasts and does not fulfill his promises is like clouds and wind, when rain does not follow.
15 With patience a ruler can be persuaded and a soft tongue can break a bone.
By patience, a leader shall be appeased, and a soft tongue shall break hardness.
16 If you find honey, eat just enough— otherwise, having too much of it, you vomit it up.
You have discovered honey; eat what is sufficient for you, lest perhaps, being filled up, you may vomit it.
17 Do not set your foot in your neighbor's house too often, he may become tired of you and hate you.
Withdraw your feet from the house of your neighbor, lest, when he has had his fill, he may 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 speaks false testimony against his neighbor is like a dart and a sword and 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.
Whoever sets his hopes on the unfaithful in a day of anguish is like a rotten tooth and weary 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.
and like one who loosens his garment in cold weather. Whoever sings verses to a wicked heart is like vinegar on baking soda. Just like a moth to a garment, and a worm to wood, so too does the sadness of a man do harm to the 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, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
22 for you will shovel coals of fire on his head and Yahweh will reward you.
For you will gather hot coals upon his head, and the Lord will repay 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 the rain, and a sorrowful face brings forth a detracting tongue.
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 sit in a corner of the attic, than with an argumentative woman and in a shared house.
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 too are good reports from a far away land.
26 Like a fouled spring or a ruined fountain is a righteous person tottering before wicked people.
The just falling down before the impious is like a fountain stirred up by feet and like a corrupted spring.
27 It is not good to eat too much honey; that is like searching for honor after honor.
Just as whoever eats too much honey, it is not good for him, so also whoever is an investigator of what is majestic will be overwhelmed by glory.
28 A person without self-control is like a city breached and without walls.
Just like a city lying in the open and without surrounding walls, so also is a man who is unable to restrain his own spirit in speaking.
