Proverbs 25
1 These, too, are parables of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, transferred.
These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
2 It is to the glory of God to conceal a word, and it is to the glory of kings to investigate speech.
It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
3 Heaven above, and earth below, and the heart of kings are each unsearchable.
As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
4 Take away the tarnish from silver, and a most pure vessel will go forth.
Take away the dross from the silver, and material comes out for the refiner;
5 Take away impiety from the face of the king, and his throne shall be made firm by justice.
Take away the wicked from the king's presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness.
6 Do not appear glorious before the king, and do not stand in the place of the great.
Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king, or claim a place among great men;
7 For it is better that it should be said to you, “Ascend to here,” than that you should be humbled before 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 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.
Do not be hasty in bringing charges to court. What will you do in the end when your neighbor shames you?
9 Argue your case with your friend, and do not reveal the secret to an outsider,
Debate your case with your neighbor, and do not betray the confidence of another;
10 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.
lest one who hears it put you to shame, and your bad reputation never depart.
11 Whoever speaks a word at an opportune time is like apples of gold on beds of silver.
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
12 Whoever reproves the wise and obedient ear is like an earring of gold with a shining pearl.
As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover to an obedient ear.
13 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.
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 man who boasts and does not fulfill his promises is like clouds and wind, when rain does not follow.
As clouds and wind without rain, so is he who boasts of gifts deceptively.
15 By patience, a leader shall be appeased, and a soft tongue shall break hardness.
By patience a ruler is persuaded. A soft tongue breaks the bone.
16 You have discovered honey; eat what is sufficient for you, lest perhaps, being filled up, you may vomit it.
Have you found honey? Eat as much as is sufficient for you, lest you eat too much, and vomit it.
17 Withdraw your feet from the house of your neighbor, lest, when he has had his fill, he may hate you.
Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house, lest he be weary of you, and hate you.
18 A man who speaks false testimony against his neighbor is like a dart and a sword and a sharp arrow.
A man who gives false testimony against his neighbor is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.
19 Whoever sets his hopes on the unfaithful in a day of anguish is like a rotten tooth and weary foot,
Confidence in someone unfaithful in time of trouble is like a bad tooth, or a lame foot.
20 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.
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 your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is 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 you will gather hot coals upon his head, and the Lord will repay you.
for by doing this you will heap coals of fire on his head, and Jehovah will reward you.
23 The north wind brings forth the rain, and a sorrowful face brings forth a detracting tongue.
The north wind brings forth rain: so a backbiting tongue brings an angry face.
24 It is better to sit in a corner of the attic, than with an argumentative woman and in a shared house.
It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than to share a house with a contentious woman.
25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so too are good reports from a far away land.
Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
26 The just falling down before the impious is like a fountain stirred up by feet and like a corrupted spring.
Like a muddied spring, and a polluted well, so is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
27 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.
It is not good to eat much honey; nor is it honorable to seek one's own honor.
28 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.
Like a city that is broken down and without walls is a man whose spirit is without restraint.
