Proverbs 25

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

These are additional proverbs of Solomon, which were copied by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:

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

It is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to search it out.

3 The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.

As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings cannot be searched.

4 Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the refiner.

Remove the dross from the silver, and a vessel for a silversmith will come forth.

5 Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.

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

6 Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men:

Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king, and do not stand in the place of great men;

7 For better it is that it be said to thee, Come up here; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thy eyes have seen.

for it is better that he says to you, “Come up here!” than that you should be demoted in the presence of the prince. Even what you have seen with your own eyes,

8 Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in its end, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.

do not bring hastily to court. Otherwise, what will you do in the end when your neighbor puts you to shame?

9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and reveal not a secret to another:

Argue your case with your neighbor without betraying another’s confidence,

10 Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thy infamy turn not away.

lest the one who hears may disgrace you, and your infamy never go away.

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

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

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

Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear.

13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.

Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.

14 Whoever boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.

Like clouds and wind without rain is the man who boasts of gifts never given.

15 By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.

Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.

16 Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled with it, and vomit it.

If you find honey, eat just what you need, lest you have too much and vomit it up.

17 Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour’s house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.

Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, lest he grow weary and hate you.

18 A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a club, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.

Like a club or sword or sharp arrow is a man who bears 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.

Like a broken tooth or a foot out of joint is confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble.

20 As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon soda, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.

Like one who removes a garment on a cold day or vinegar poured on a wound is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.

21 If thy enemy shall hunger, give him bread to eat; and if he shall thirst, give him water to drink:

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

22 For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.

For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.

23 The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.

As the north wind brings forth rain, so a backbiting tongue brings angry looks.

24 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.

Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.

25 As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.

Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land.

26 A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.

Like a muddied spring or a polluted well is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked.

27 It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.

It is not good to eat too much honey or to search out one’s own glory.

28 He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.

Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who does not control his temper.