Proverbs 25

NEW JERUSALEM	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Here are some more of Solomon's proverbs, transcribed at the court of Hezekiah king of Judah:	1 These also are proverbs of Solomon. The men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, transmitted them.
2 To conceal a matter, this is the glory of God, to sift it thoroughly, the glory of kings.	2 God has glory in what he conceals, kings have glory in what they fathom.
3 The heavens for height and the earth for depth, unfathomable, as are the hearts of kings.	3 As the heavens in height, and the earth in depth, the heart of kings is unfathomable.
4 From silver remove the dross and it emerges wholly purified;	4 Remove the dross from silver, and it comes forth perfectly purified;
5 from the king's presence remove the wicked and on uprightness his throne is founded.	5 Remove the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne is made firm through righteousness.
6 In the presence of the king do not give yourself airs, do not take a place among the great;	6 Claim no honor in the king's presence, nor occupy the place of great men;
7 better to be invited, 'Come up here', than be humiliated in the presence of the prince.	7 For it is better that you be told, "Come up closer!" than that you be humbled before the prince.
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?	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?
9 Have the quarrel out with your neighbour. but do not disclose another's secret,	9 Discuss your case with your neighbor, but another man's secret do not disclose;
10 for fear your listener put you to shame, and the loss of repute be irremediable.	10 Lest, hearing it, he reproach you, and your ill repute cease not.
11 Like apples of gold inlaid with silver is a word that is aptly spoken.	11 Like golden apples in silver settings are words spoken at the proper time.
12 A golden ring, an ornament of finest gold, is a wise rebuke to an attentive ear.	12 Like a golden earring, or a necklace of fine gold, is a wise reprover to an obedient ear.
13 The coolness of snow in harvest time, such is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him: herevives the soul of his master.	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.)
14 Clouds and wind, but no rain: such is anyone whose promises are princely but never kept.	14 Like clouds and wind when no rain follows is the man who boastfully promises what he never gives.
15 With patience a judge may be cajoled: a soft tongue breaks bones.	15 By patience is a ruler persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.
16 Eat to your satisfaction what honey you may find, but not to excess or you wil bring it up again.	16 If you find honey, eat only what you need, lest you become glutted with it and vomit it up.
17 Do not set foot too often in your neighbour's house, for fear the neighbour tire of you and come tohate you.	17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house, lest he have more than enough of you, and hate you.
18 A mace, a sword, a piercing arrow, such is anyone who bears false witness against a companion.	18 Like a club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow, is the man who bears false witness against his neighbor.
19 Decaying tooth, lame foot, such is the fickle when trusted in time of trouble:	19 Like an infected tooth or an unsteady foot is (dependence on) a faithless man in time of trouble.
20 as well take off your coat in bitter weather. You are pouring vinegar on a wound when you sing songsto a sorrowing heart.	20 Like a moth in clothing, or a maggot in wood, sorrow gnaws at the human heart.
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him something to eat; if thirsty, something to drink.	21 If your enemy be hungry, give him food to eat, if he be thirsty, give him to drink;
22 By this you will be heaping red-hot coals on his head, and Yahweh wil reward you.	22 For live coals you will heap on his head, and the LORD will vindicate you.
23 The north wind begets the rain, and a backbiting tongue, black looks.	23 The north wind brings rain, and a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.
24 Better the corner of a roof to live on than a house shared with a quarrelsome woman.	24 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop than in a roomy house with a quarrelsome woman.
25 Cold water to a thirsty throat; such is good news from a distant land.	25 Like cool water to one faint from thirst is good news from a far country.
26 A churned -- up spring, a fountain fouled; such is the upright person trembling before the wicked.	26 Like a troubled fountain or a polluted spring is a just man who gives way before the wicked.
27 It is not good to eat too much honey, nor to seek for glory on top of glory.	27 To eat too much honey is not good; nor to seek honor after honor.
28 An open town, and without defences: such is anyone who lacks self-control.	28 Like an open city with no defenses is the man with no check on his feelings.