Proverbs 25

KING JAMES BIBLE	NEW JERUSALEM
1 These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.	1 Here are some more of Solomon's proverbs, transcribed at the court of Hezekiah king of Judah:
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.	2 To conceal a matter, this is the glory of God, to sift it thoroughly, the glory of kings.
3 The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.	3 The heavens for height and the earth for depth, unfathomable, as are the hearts of kings.
4 Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.	4 From silver remove the dross and it emerges wholly purified;
5 Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.	5 from the king's presence remove the wicked and on uprightness his throne is founded.
6 Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men:	6 In the presence of the king do not give yourself airs, do not take a place among the great;
7 For 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.	7 better to be invited, 'Come up here', than be humiliated in the presence of the prince.
8 Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.	8 What your eyes have witnessed do not produce too quickly at the trial, for what are you to do at theend should your neighbour confute you?
9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another:	9 Have the quarrel out with your neighbour. but do not disclose another's secret,
10 Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.	10 for fear your listener put you to shame, and the loss of repute be irremediable.
11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.	11 Like apples of gold inlaid with silver is a word that is aptly spoken.
12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.	12 A golden ring, an ornament of finest gold, is a wise rebuke to an attentive ear.
13 As 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.	13 The coolness of snow in harvest time, such is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him: herevives the soul of his master.
14 Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.	14 Clouds and wind, but no rain: such is anyone whose promises are princely but never kept.
15 By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.	15 With patience a judge may be cajoled: a soft tongue breaks bones.
16 Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.	16 Eat to your satisfaction what honey you may find, but not to excess or you wil bring it up again.
17 Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.	17 Do not set foot too often in your neighbour's house, for fear the neighbour tire of you and come tohate you.
18 A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.	18 A mace, a sword, a piercing arrow, such is anyone who bears false witness against a companion.
19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.	19 Decaying tooth, lame foot, such is the fickle when trusted in time of trouble:
20 As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.	20 as well take off your coat in bitter weather. You are pouring vinegar on a wound when you sing songsto a sorrowing heart.
21 If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:	21 If your enemy is hungry, give him something to eat; if thirsty, something to drink.
22 For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.	22 By this you will be heaping red-hot coals on his head, and Yahweh wil reward you.
23 The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.	23 The north wind begets the rain, and a backbiting tongue, black looks.
24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.	24 Better the corner of a roof to live on than a house shared with a quarrelsome woman.
25 As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.	25 Cold water to a thirsty throat; such is good news from a distant land.
26 A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.	26 A churned -- up spring, a fountain fouled; such is the upright person trembling before the wicked.
27 It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.	27 It is not good to eat too much honey, nor to seek for glory on top of glory.
28 He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.	28 An open town, and without defences: such is anyone who lacks self-control.