Proverbs 25

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 These also are proverbs of Solomon. The men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, transmitted them.	1 These, too, are parables of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, transferred.
2 God has glory in what he conceals, kings have glory in what they fathom.	2 It is to the glory of God to conceal a word, and it is to the glory of kings to investigate speech.
3 As the heavens in height, and the earth in depth, the heart of kings is unfathomable.	3 Heaven above, and earth below, and the heart of kings are each unsearchable.
4 Remove the dross from silver, and it comes forth perfectly purified;	4 Take away the tarnish from silver, and a most pure vessel will go forth.
5 Remove the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne is made firm through righteousness.	5 Take away impiety from the face of the king, and his throne shall be made firm by justice.
6 Claim no honor in the king's presence, nor occupy 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 you be told, "Come up closer!" than that you 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 What your eyes have seen bring not forth hastily against an opponent; For what will you do later on when your neighbor puts you to shame?	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 Discuss your case with your neighbor, but another man's secret do not disclose;	9 Argue your case with your friend, and do not reveal the secret to an outsider,
10 Lest, hearing it, he reproach you, and your ill repute cease not.	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 Like golden apples in silver settings are words spoken at the proper time.	11 Whoever speaks a word at an opportune time is like apples of gold on beds of silver.
12 Like a golden earring, or a necklace of fine gold, is a wise reprover to an obedient ear.	12 Whoever reproves the wise and obedient ear is like an earring of gold with a shining pearl.
13 Like the coolness of snow in the heat of the harvest is a faithful messenger for the one who sends him. (He refreshes the soul of his master.)	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 Like clouds and wind when no rain follows is the man who boastfully promises what he never gives.	14 A man who boasts and does not fulfill his promises is like clouds and wind, when rain does not follow.
15 By patience is a ruler persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.	15 By patience, a leader shall be appeased, and a soft tongue shall break hardness.
16 If you find honey, eat only what you need, lest you become glutted with it and vomit it up.	16 You have discovered honey; eat what is sufficient for you, lest perhaps, being filled up, you may vomit it.
17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house, lest he have more than enough of you, and hate you.	17 Withdraw your feet from the house of your neighbor, lest, when he has had his fill, he may hate you.
18 Like a club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow, is the man who bears false witness against his neighbor.	18 A man who speaks false testimony against his neighbor is like a dart and a sword and a sharp arrow.
19 Like an infected tooth or an unsteady foot is (dependence on) a faithless man in time of trouble.	19 Whoever sets his hopes on the unfaithful in a day of anguish is like a rotten tooth and weary foot,
20 Like a moth in clothing, or a maggot in wood, sorrow gnaws at the human 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 your enemy be hungry, give him food to eat, if he be thirsty, give him to drink;	21 If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
22 For live coals you will heap on his head, and the LORD will vindicate you.	22 For you will gather hot coals upon his head, and the Lord will repay you.
23 The north wind brings rain, and a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.	23 The north wind brings forth the rain, and a sorrowful face brings forth a detracting tongue.
24 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop than in a roomy house with a quarrelsome woman.	24 It is better to sit in a corner of the attic, than with an argumentative woman and in a shared house.
25 Like cool water to one faint from thirst is good news from a far country.	25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so too are good reports from a far away land.
26 Like a troubled fountain or a polluted spring is a just man who gives way before the wicked.	26 The just falling down before the impious is like a fountain stirred up by feet and like a corrupted spring.
27 To eat too much honey is not good; nor to seek honor after honor.	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 Like an open city with no defenses is the man with no check on his feelings.	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.