Proverbs 25

1 THESE ARE ALSO PARABLES of Salomon, which the men of Hezekiah King of Iudah copied out.

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

2 The glorie of God is to conceale a thing secret: but the Kings honour 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 heaues in height, and the earth in deepenes, and the Kings heart can no man search out.

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

4 Take the drosse from the siluer, and there shall proceede a vessell for the finer.

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

5 Take away the wicked from the King, and his throne shall be stablished in righteousnes.

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

6 Boast not thy selfe before 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 it is better, that it be saide vnto thee, Come vp hither, then thou to be put lower in the presece of the prince whom thine eyes haue seene.

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 Goe not foorth hastily to strife, least thou know not what to doe in the ende 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 matter with thy neighbour, and discouer not the secret to another,

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

10 Least he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamie doe not cease.

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

11 A word spoken in his place, is like apples of golde with pictures of siluer.

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

12 He that reprooueth the wise, and the obedient eare, is as a golden earering and an ornament of fine golde.

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

13 As the colde of the snowe in the time of haruest, so is a faithfull messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soule of his masters.

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 that boasteth of false liberalitie, is like cloudes and winde without raine.

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

15 A Prince is pacified by staying of anger, and a soft tongue breaketh the bones.

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

16 If thou haue found hony, eate that is sufficient for thee, least thou be ouerfull, and vomit it.

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

17 Withdrawe thy foote from thy neighbours house, least 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 man that beareth false witnes against his neighbour, is like an hammer and a sword, and a sharpe arrowe.

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

19 Confidence in an vnfaythfull man in time of trouble, is like a broken tooth and a sliding foote.

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

20 Hee that taketh away the garment in the colde season, is like vineger powred vpon nitre, or like him that singeth songs to an heauy 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 hee that hateth thee be hungry, giue him bread to eate, and if he be thirstie, giue him water to drinke.

If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat. If he is thirsty, give him water to drink;

22 For thou shalt lay coles vpon his head, and the Lord shall recompense thee.

for you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the LORD will reward you.

23 As the Northwinde driueth away the raine, so doeth an angry countenance the slandering tongue.

The north wind produces rain; so a backbiting tongue brings an angry face.

24 It is better to dwell in a corner of the house top, then with a contentious woman in a wide house.

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

25 As are the colde waters to a weary soule, so is good newes from a farre countery.

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

26 A righteous man falling downe before the wicked, is like a troubled well, and a corrupt spring.

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 eate much hony: so to search their owne glory is not glory.

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

28 A man that refraineth not his appetite, is like a citie which is broken downe and without walles.

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