Proverbs 25 Parallel Bible Translations

Proverbs 25 ▼
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1 These also are proverbs of Solomon. The servants of Hezekiah, king of Judah, transmitted them. These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied. These are more proverbs of Solomon, compiled by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, and the glory of kings to fathom a matter. It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out. It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings.
3 Like the heavens in height, and the earth in depth, the heart of kings is unfathomable. As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable. As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
4 Remove the dross from silver, and it comes forth perfectly purified; Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel; Remove the dross from the silver, and a silversmith can produce a vessel;
5 Remove the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne is made firm through justice. take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness. remove wicked officials from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established through righteousness.
6 Claim no honor in the king’s presence, nor occupy the place of superiors; Do not put yourself forward in the king’s presence or stand in the place of the great, Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence, and do not claim a place among his great men;
7 For it is better to be told, “Come up closer!” than to be humbled before the prince. for it is better to be told, “Come up here,” than to be put lower in the presence of a noble. What your eyes have seen it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,” than for him to humiliate you before his nobles. What you have seen with your eyes
8 What your eyes have seen do not bring forth too quickly against an opponent; For what will you do later on when your neighbor puts you to shame? do not hastily bring into court, for what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame? do not bring hastily to court, for what will you do in the end if your neighbor puts you to shame?
9 Argue your own case with your neighbor, but the secrets of others do not disclose; Argue your case with your neighbor himself, and do not reveal another’s secret, If you take your neighbor to court, do not betray another’s confidence,
10 Lest, hearing it, they reproach you, and your ill repute never ceases. lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your ill repute have no end. or the one who hears it may shame you and the charge against you will stand.
11 Golden apples in silver settings are words spoken at the proper time. A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a ruling rightly given.
12 A golden earring or a necklace of fine gold— one who gives wise reproof to a listening ear. Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear. Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is the rebuke of a wise judge to a listening ear.
13 Like the coolness of snow in the heat of the harvest are faithful messengers for those who send them, lifting the spirits of their masters. Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters. Like a snow-cooled drink at harvest time is a trustworthy messenger to the one who sends him; he refreshes the spirit of his master.
14 Clouds and wind but no rain— the one who boasts of a gift not given. Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give. Like clouds and wind without rain is one who boasts of gifts never given.
15 By patience is a ruler persuaded, and a soft tongue can break a bone. With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone. Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
16 If you find honey, eat only what you need, lest you have your fill and vomit it up. If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it. If you find honey, eat just enough— too much of it, and you will vomit.
17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbors’ house, lest they have their fill of you—and hate you. Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house, lest he have his fill of you and hate you. Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house— too much of you, and they will hate you.
18 A club, sword, or sharp arrow— the one who bears false witness against a neighbor. A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow. Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow is one who gives false testimony against a neighbor.
19 A bad tooth or an unsteady foot— a trust betrayed in time of trouble. Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips. Like a broken tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in a time of trouble.
20 Like the removal of clothes on a cold day, or vinegar on soda, is the one who sings to a troubled heart. Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, and like vinegar on soda. Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar poured on a wound, is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
21 If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat, if thirsty, give something to drink; If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
22 For live coals you will heap on their heads, and the LORD will vindicate you. for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.
23 The north wind brings rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks. The north wind brings forth rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks. Like a north wind that brings unexpected rain is a sly tongue—which provokes a horrified look.
24 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop than in a mansion with a quarrelsome wife. It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife. Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
25 Cool water to one faint from thirst is good news from a far country. Like cold water 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 trampled fountain or a polluted spring— a just person fallen before the wicked. Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked. Like a muddied spring or a polluted well are the righteous who give way to the wicked.
27 To eat too much honey is not good; nor to seek honor after honor. It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it glorious to seek one’s own glory. It is not good to eat too much honey, nor is it honorable to search out matters that are too deep.
28 A city breached and left defenseless are those who do not control their temper. A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls. Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.
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