Proverbs 25

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

1These are more wise sayings of Solomon, a king of Israel. The workers of Hezekiah, king of Judah, copied them out.

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

2God shows how great He is by keeping some things hidden. Kings are honored when they search things out and find the truth.

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

3The sky is very high. The earth goes very deep. And no one can find out all that is in a king's heart.

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

4Melt silver and take out the junk that is mixed in. Then the silver worker can make a good cup from it.

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

5Take bad people away from the king's side. Then his rule will stand strong, and he will rule fairly.

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

6Do not push yourself forward when you stand before the king. Do not take the place saved for important people.

7For better it is 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 better if someone says to you, "Come sit up here." That is better than being moved down low in front of a ruler you can see.

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 rush to take someone to court. You may not know what to do in the end. Your neighbor may shame you there.

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

9If you argue with your neighbor, talk it out with him alone. Do not tell someone else's secret.

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

10If you do, the person who hears it may shame you. People may never stop saying bad things about you.

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

11The right words said at the right time are lovely. They are like golden apples set in silver.

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

12A wise person tells you kindly when you are wrong. If you listen, that is like a gift of fine gold jewelry.

13As 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.

13A messenger you can trust makes the ones who sent him glad. He is like cool snow on a hot harvest day.

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

14Some people brag about gifts they never really give. They are like clouds and wind that bring no rain.

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

15Keep being patient, and even a ruler can change his mind. Gentle words are strong enough to break a bone.

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

16Have you found honey? Eat only as much as you need. Too much will make you sick and throw up.

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

17Do not go to your neighbor's house too often. He may get tired of you and start to hate you.

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

18Some people tell lies about their neighbor in court. They hurt like a heavy club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.

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

19Trusting someone who lets you down will fail you in hard times. It is like a broken tooth or a hurt foot.

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

20Do not sing happy songs to someone whose heart is heavy. It is like taking a coat away on a cold day. It is like pouring vinegar on soda.

Note"Nitre" was a mineral much like baking soda. Pouring vinegar on it makes it fizz and spoils it.

21If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:

21If the person who hates you is hungry, give him food to eat. If he is thirsty, give him water to drink.

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

22Doing this will heap hot coals on his head. And the LORD will pay you back for it.

Note"Heap coals of fire on his head" is an old word-picture, not an order to hurt anyone. People have long argued about exactly what it pictures.

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

23The north wind blows the rain away. In the same way, an angry look stops talk behind people's backs.

NoteThe old Hebrew here is not clear. The KJV says the north wind drives rain away; some modern Bibles say it brings rain.

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

24It is better to live in a corner up on the roof. That is better than sharing a big house with a wife who fights.

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

25Good news from a faraway land makes you feel new again. It is like cold water when you are very thirsty.

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

26A good person who gives in to bad people is a sad sight. He is like a spring of water gone muddy and dirty.

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

27Eating too much honey is not good for you. Hunting for praise for yourself is not good either.

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

28Some people cannot rule their own temper. They are like a city with its walls broken down.