Proverbs 25

DOUAI-RHEIMS	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 These are also parables of Solomon, which the men of Ezechias king of Juda copied out.	1 These, too, are parables of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, transferred.
2 It is the glory of God to conceal the word, and the glory of kings to search out the speech.	2 It is to the glory of God to conceal a word, and it is to the glory of kings to investigate speech.
3 The heaven above, and the earth beneath, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.	3 Heaven above, and earth below, and the heart of kings are each unsearchable.
4 Take away the rust from silver, and there shall come forth a most pure vessel:	4 Take away the tarnish from silver, and a most pure vessel will go forth.
5 Take away wickedness from the face of the king, and his throne shall be established with justice.	5 Take away impiety from the face of the king, and his throne shall be made firm by justice.
6 Appear not glorious before the king, and stand not in the place of great men.	6 Do not appear glorious before the king, and do not stand in the place of the great.
7 For it is better that it should be said to thee: Come up hither; than that thou shouldst be humbled before the prince.	7 For it is better that it should be said to you, “Ascend to here,” than that you should be humbled before the prince.
8 The things which thy eyes have seen, utter not hastily in a quarrel: lest afterward thou mayst not be able to make amends, when thou hast dishonoured thy friend.	8 The things that your eyes have seen, do not offer hastily in a quarrel, lest afterward you may not be able to make amends, when you have dishonored your friend.
9 Treat thy cause with thy friend, and discover not the secret to a stranger:	9 Argue your case with your friend, and do not reveal the secret to an outsider,
10 Lest he insult over thee, when he hath heard it, and cease not to upbraid thee. Grace and friendship deliver a man: keep these for thyself, lest thou fall under reproach.	10 lest perhaps he may insult you, when he has heard it, and he might not cease to reproach you. Grace and friendship free a man; preserve these for yourself, lest you fall under reproach.
11 To speak a word in due time, is like apples of gold on beds of silver.	11 Whoever speaks a word at an opportune time is like apples of gold on beds of silver.
12 As an earring of gold and a bright pearl, so is he that reproveth the wise, and the obedient ear.	12 Whoever reproves the wise and obedient ear is like an earring of gold with a shining pearl.
13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to him that sent him, for he refresheth his soul.	13 Just like the cold of snow in a time of harvest, so also is a faithful messenger to him who sent him: he causes his soul to rest.
14 As clouds, and wind, when no rain followeth, so is the man that boasteth, and doth not fulfil his promises.	14 A man who boasts and does not fulfill his promises is like clouds and wind, when rain does not follow.
15 By patience a prince shall be appeased, and a soft tongue shall break hardness.	15 By patience, a leader shall be appeased, and a soft tongue shall break hardness.
16 Thou hast found honey, eat what is sufficient for thee, lest being glutted therewith thou vomit it up.	16 You have discovered honey; eat what is sufficient for you, lest perhaps, being filled up, you may vomit it.
17 Withdraw thy foot from the house of thy neighbour, lest having his fill he hate thee.	17 Withdraw your feet from the house of your neighbor, lest, when he has had his fill, he may hate you.
18 A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour, is like a dart and a sword and a sharp arrow.	18 A man who speaks false testimony against his neighbor is like a dart and a sword and a sharp arrow.
19 To trust to an unfaithful man in the time of trouble, is like a rotten tooth, and weary foot,	19 Whoever sets his hopes on the unfaithful in a day of anguish is like a rotten tooth and weary foot,
20 And one that looseth his garment in cold weather. As vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to a very evil heart. As a moth doth by a garment, and a worm by the wood: so the sadness of a man consumeth the heart.	20 and like one who loosens his garment in cold weather. Whoever sings verses to a wicked heart is like vinegar on baking soda. Just like a moth to a garment, and a worm to wood, so too does the sadness of a man do harm to the heart.
21 If thy enemy be hungry, give him to eat: if he thirst, give him water to drink:	21 If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
22 For thou shalt heap hot coals upon his head, and the Lord will reward thee.	22 For you will gather hot coals upon his head, and the Lord will repay you.
23 The north wind driveth away rain, as doth a sad countenance a backbiting tongue.	23 The north wind brings forth the rain, and a sorrowful face brings forth a detracting tongue.
24 It is better to sit m a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman, and in a common house.	24 It is better to sit in a corner of the attic, than with an argumentative woman and in a shared house.
25 As cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good tidings from a far country.	25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so too are good reports from a far away land.
26 A just man falling down before the wicked, is as a fountain troubled with the foot, and a corrupted spring.	26 The just falling down before the impious is like a fountain stirred up by feet and like a corrupted spring.
27 As it is not good for a man to eat much honey, so he that is a searcher of majesty, shall be overwhelmed by glory.	27 Just as whoever eats too much honey, it is not good for him, so also whoever is an investigator of what is majestic will be overwhelmed by glory.
28 As a city that lieth open and is not compassed with walls, so is a man that cannot refrain his own spirit in speaking.	28 Just like a city lying in the open and without surrounding walls, so also is a man who is unable to restrain his own spirit in speaking.