Proverbs 25
1 These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, collected.
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 it is the glory of kings to search out a matter.
3 The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.
As the heavens for their height, And as the earth for its depth, So is the heart of kings unsearchable!
4 Take away the dross from the silver, and there cometh forth a vessel for the refiner;
Take away the dross from the silver, And there will come forth a vessel for the founder;
5 Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
Take away the wicked man from the presence of the king, And his throne will be established by righteousness.
6 Glorify not thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men;
Put not thyself forth in the presence of the king, Nor set thyself in the place of the great;
7 For better is it that it be said unto thee: 'Come up hither', than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince, whom thine eyes have seen.
For better is it that one should say to thee, “Come up hither!” Than that he should put thee in a lower place, In the presence of the prince whom thine eyes behold.
8 Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.
Go not forth hastily to engage in a suit, Lest thou know not what to do in the end of it, When thine adversary hath put thee to shame.
9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbour, but reveal not the secret of another;
Maintain thy cause with thine adversary, But reveal not another's secret;
10 Lest he that heareth it revile thee, and thine infamy turn not away.
Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, And thy infamy depart not from thee.
11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
A word spoken in season Is like apples of gold in figured-work of silver.
12 As an ear-ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.
As a ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, So is a wise reprover to an attentive ear.
13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to him that sendeth him; for he refresheth the soul of his master.
As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, So is a faithful messenger to them that send him; For he refresheth the spirit of his masters.
14 As vapours and wind without rain, so is he that boasteth himself of a false gift.
As clouds and wind without rain, So is the man that boasteth falsely of giving.
15 By long forbearing is a ruler persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
By long forbearing is a prince appeased; And a soft tongue breaketh bones.
16 Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.
Hast thou found honey? eat what is sufficient for thee, Lest thou be surfeited with it, and vomit it up.
17 Let thy foot be seldom in thy neighbour's house; lest he be sated with thee, and hate thee.
Let thy foot be seldom in the house of thy friend, Lest he be surfeited with thee and hate thee.
18 As a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow, so is a man that beareth false witness against his neighbour.
A battle-hammer, and a sword, and a sharp arrow, Is the man who beareth false witness against his neighbor.
19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
As a broken tooth, and a wavering foot, So is trust in an unfaithful man in time of trouble.
20 As one that taketh off a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to a heavy heart.
As he that taketh off a garment on a cold day, As vinegar upon nitre, So is he that singeth songs to a heavy heart.
21 If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink;
If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he be thirsty, give him water to drink;
22 For thou wilt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD will reward thee.
For thou wilt heap coals of fire upon his head, And the LORD will reward thee.
23 The north wind bringeth forth rain, and a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.
As the north wind bringeth forth rain, So a backbiting tongue maketh an angry countenance.
24 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than in a house in common with a contentious woman.
Better is it to dwell in a corner of the housetop, Than with a quarrelsome woman in a large house.
25 As cold waters to a faint soul, so is good news from a far country.
As cold water to the thirsty, So is good news from a far country.
26 As a troubled fountain, and a corrupted spring, so is a righteous man that giveth way before the wicked.
As a troubled fountain, and as a corrupted spring, So is a righteous man falling before the wicked.
27 It is not good to eat much honey; so for men to search out their own glory is not glory.
To eat much honey is not good; So the search of high things is weariness.
28 Like a city broken down and without a wall, so is he whose spirit is without restraint.
As a city broken through and without a wall, So is he that hath no rule over his spirit.
