Proverbs 25

NEW JERUSALEM	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 Here are some more of Solomon's proverbs, transcribed at the court of Hezekiah king of Judah:	1 These, too, are parables of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, transferred.
2 To conceal a matter, this is the glory of God, to sift it thoroughly, the glory of kings.	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 heavens for height and the earth for depth, unfathomable, as are the hearts of kings.	3 Heaven above, and earth below, and the heart of kings are each unsearchable.
4 From silver remove the dross and it emerges wholly purified;	4 Take away the tarnish from silver, and a most pure vessel will go forth.
5 from the king's presence remove the wicked and on uprightness his throne is founded.	5 Take away impiety from the face of the king, and his throne shall be made firm by justice.
6 In the presence of the king do not give yourself airs, do not take a place among the great;	6 Do not appear glorious before the king, and do not stand in the place of the great.
7 better to be invited, 'Come up here', than be humiliated in the presence of 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 witnessed do not produce too quickly at the trial, for what are you to do at theend should your neighbour confute you?	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 Have the quarrel out with your neighbour. but do not disclose another's secret,	9 Argue your case with your friend, and do not reveal the secret to an outsider,
10 for fear your listener put you to shame, and the loss of repute be irremediable.	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 apples of gold inlaid with silver is a word that is aptly spoken.	11 Whoever speaks a word at an opportune time is like apples of gold on beds of silver.
12 A golden ring, an ornament of finest gold, is a wise rebuke to an attentive ear.	12 Whoever reproves the wise and obedient ear is like an earring of gold with a shining pearl.
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 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 Clouds and wind, but no rain: such is anyone whose promises are princely but never kept.	14 A man who boasts and does not fulfill his promises is like clouds and wind, when rain does not follow.
15 With patience a judge may be cajoled: a soft tongue breaks bones.	15 By patience, a leader shall be appeased, and a soft tongue shall break hardness.
16 Eat to your satisfaction what honey you may find, but not to excess or you wil bring it up again.	16 You have discovered honey; eat what is sufficient for you, lest perhaps, being filled up, you may vomit it.
17 Do not set foot too often in your neighbour's house, for fear the neighbour tire of you and come tohate you.	17 Withdraw your feet from the house of your neighbor, lest, when he has had his fill, he may hate you.
18 A mace, a sword, a piercing arrow, such is anyone who bears false witness against a companion.	18 A man who speaks false testimony against his neighbor is like a dart and a sword and a sharp arrow.
19 Decaying tooth, lame foot, such is the fickle when trusted 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 as well take off your coat in bitter weather. You are pouring vinegar on a wound when you sing songsto a sorrowing 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 is hungry, give him something to eat; if thirsty, something to drink.	21 If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
22 By this you will be heaping red-hot coals on his head, and Yahweh wil reward you.	22 For you will gather hot coals upon his head, and the Lord will repay you.
23 The north wind begets the rain, and a backbiting tongue, black looks.	23 The north wind brings forth the rain, and a sorrowful face brings forth a detracting tongue.
24 Better the corner of a roof to live on than a house shared 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 Cold water to a thirsty throat; such is good news from a distant land.	25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so too are good reports from a far away land.
26 A churned -- up spring, a fountain fouled; such is the upright person trembling 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 It is not good to eat too much honey, nor to seek for glory on top of 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 An open town, and without defences: such is anyone who lacks self-control.	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.