Proverbs 25

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

1These are also proverbs of Solomon, which were collected by the officials of Hezekiah, the king of Judah.

2It is the glory of God to conceal a thing; But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.

2God is honored for keeping things secret, but kings are honored for investigating and explaining matters.

3As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, So the heart of kings is unsearchable.

3Just as the heavens are high and the earth is deep, the thoughts of a king’s heart are impossible to fully understand.

4Take away the dross from the silver, And there cometh forth a vessel for the refiner:

4Remove the impurities from the silver, and the silversmith will have the material to make a beautiful bowl.

5Take away the wickedfrombefore the king, And his throne shall be established in righteousness.

5Remove the wicked people from the king’s presence, and his rule will be made secure through justice.

6Put not thyself forward in the presence of the king, And stand not in the place of great men:

6Do not brag about yourself in front of the king, and do not try to take a place among great leaders.

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.

7It is much better for someone to say to you, 'Come up here to a higher seat,' than to be embarrassed in front of the prince you have seen.

8Go not forth hastily to strive, Lestthou know notwhat to do in the end thereof, When thy neighbor hath put thee to shame.

8Do not be in a hurry to go to court; if you do, what will you do at the end when your neighbor proves you wrong and puts you to shame?

9Debate thy cause with thy neighbor himself, And disclose not the secret of another;

9Argue your case directly with your neighbor, and do not reveal someone else's secret in the process.

10Lest he that heareth it revile thee, And thine infamy turn not away.

10If you do, the person who hears it will ruin your reputation, and you may never recover from the shame.

11A word fitly spoken Islikeapples of gold in network of silver.

11The right words spoken at the right time are like gold apples set in silver jewelry.

12Asan ear-ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, So isa wise reprover upon an obedient ear.

12A wise person’s correction to a listening ear is as valuable as a gold earring or an ornament of fine gold.

13As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, So isa faithful messenger to them that send him; For he refresheth the soul of his masters.

13Like the coolness of snow during the heat of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the spirit of his masters.

14As clouds and wind without rain, So ishe that boasteth himself of his gifts falsely.

14A person who brags about gifts they never give is like clouds and wind that never bring any rain.

15By long forbearing is a ruler persuaded, And a soft tongue breaketh the bone.

15With great patience a ruler can be persuaded, and gentle words can break down very strong resistance.

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 only as much as you need; if you eat too much, you will get sick and throw up.

17Let thy foot be seldom in thy neighbor’s house, Lest he be weary of thee, and hate thee.

17Do not visit your neighbor’s house too often; if you go too much, they will get tired of you and will begin to hate you.

18A man that beareth false witness against his neighbor Is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.

18A person who tells lies against their neighbor is as dangerous as a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.

19Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble Islikea broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.

19Trusting an unfaithful person in a time of trouble is like trying to chew with a broken tooth or walk on a foot that is out of joint.

20As one that taketh off a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon soda, So is he that singeth songs to a heavy heart.

20Singing happy songs to a person with a heavy heart is as bad as taking away someone's coat in cold weather or pouring vinegar on a wound.

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; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.

22For thou wilt heap coals of fire upon his head, And Jehovah will reward thee.

22By doing this, you will make him feel the burning shame of his actions, and the LORD will reward you.

23The north wind bringeth forth rain; So doth a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.

23As surely as the north wind brings rain, gossiping about someone behind their back brings angry looks.

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

24It is better to live alone in a corner on the roof than to share a large house with a wife who likes to argue.

25Ascold waters to a thirsty soul, So is good news from a far country.

25Like cold water is to someone who is exhausted and thirsty, so is good news from a distant land.

26Asa troubled fountain, and a corrupted spring, So isa righteous man that giveth way before the wicked.

26A righteous person who gives in to the wicked is like a fountain that has been muddied or a spring that has been polluted.

27It is not good to eat much honey; Sofor mento search out their own glory is grievous.

27It is not healthy to eat too much honey, and it is not honorable for people to seek their own fame.

28He whose spirit is without restraint Islikea city that is broken down and without walls.

28A person who cannot control his temper is like a city that has been broken into and left without walls for protection.