Proverbs 25
JPS Tanakh (Jewish Publication Society, 1917)
Berean Standard Bible
1These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
1These are additional proverbs of Solomon, which were copied by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:
2It is the glory of God to conceal a thing; but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
2It is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to search it out.
3The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.
3As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings cannot be searched.
4Take away the dross from the silver, and there cometh forth a vessel for the refiner;
4Remove the dross from the silver, and a vessel for a silversmith will come forth.
5Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
5Remove the wicked from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness.
6Glorify not thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men;
6Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king, and do not stand in the place of great men;
7For 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.
7for 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,
8Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.
8do not bring hastily to court. Otherwise, what will you do in the end when your neighbor puts you to shame?
9Debate thy cause with thy neighbour, but reveal not the secret of another;
9Argue your case with your neighbor without betraying another’s confidence,
10Lest he that heareth it revile thee, and thine infamy turn not away.
10lest the one who hears may disgrace you, and your infamy never go away.
11A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
11A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
12As an ear-ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.
12Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear.
13As 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.
13Like 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.
14As vapours and wind without rain, so is he that boasteth himself of a false gift.
14Like clouds and wind without rain is the man who boasts of gifts never given.
15By long forbearing is a ruler persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
15Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
16Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.
16If you find honey, eat just what you need, lest you have too much and vomit it up.
17Let thy foot be seldom in thy neighbour's house; lest he be sated with thee, and hate thee.
17Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, lest he grow weary and hate you.
18As a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow, so is a man that beareth false witness against his neighbour.
18Like a club or sword or sharp arrow is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor.
19Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
19Like a broken tooth or a foot out of joint is confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble.
20As one that taketh off a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to a heavy heart.
20Like one who removes a garment on a cold day or vinegar poured on a wound is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
21If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink;
21If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
22For thou wilt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD will reward thee.
22For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.
23The north wind bringeth forth rain, and a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.
23As the north wind brings forth rain, so a backbiting tongue brings angry looks.
24It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than in a house in common with a contentious woman.
24Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
25As cold waters to a faint soul, so is good news from a far country.
25Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land.
26As a troubled fountain, and a corrupted spring, so is a righteous man that giveth way before the wicked.
26Like a muddied spring or a polluted well is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked.
27It is not good to eat much honey; so for men to search out their own glory is not glory.
27It is not good to eat too much honey or to search out one’s own glory.
28Like a city broken down and without a wall, so is he whose spirit is without restraint.
28Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who does not control his temper.
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