Proverbs 25

NEW JERUSALEM	Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
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 which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied.
2 To conceal a matter, this is the glory of God, to sift it thoroughly, the glory of kings.	2 It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.
3 The heavens for height and the earth for depth, unfathomable, as are the hearts of kings.	3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the mind of kings is unsearchable.
4 From silver remove the dross and it emerges wholly purified;	4 Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel;
5 from the king's presence remove the wicked and on uprightness his throne is founded.	5 take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.
6 In the presence of the king do not give yourself airs, do not take a place among the great;	6 Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence or 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 to be told, "Come up here," than to be put lower in the presence of the prince. What your eyes have seen
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 do not hastily bring into court; for what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame?
9 Have the quarrel out with your neighbour. but do not disclose another's secret,	9 Argue your case with your neighbor himself, and do not disclose another's secret;
10 for fear your listener put you to shame, and the loss of repute be irremediable.	10 lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your ill repute have no end.
11 Like apples of gold inlaid with silver is a word that is aptly spoken.	11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.
12 A golden ring, an ornament of finest gold, is a wise rebuke to an attentive ear.	12 Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening 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 cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him, he refreshes the spirit of his masters.
14 Clouds and wind, but no rain: such is anyone whose promises are princely but never kept.	14 Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give.
15 With patience a judge may be cajoled: a soft tongue breaks bones.	15 With patience a ruler may be 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 have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you be sated with it and 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 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house, lest he become weary of you and hate you.
18 A mace, a sword, a piercing arrow, such is anyone who bears false witness against a companion.	18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.
19 Decaying tooth, lame foot, such is the fickle when trusted in time of trouble:	19 Trust in a faithless man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.
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 He who sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, and like vinegar on a wound.
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him something to eat; if thirsty, something to drink.	21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; and 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 heap coals of fire on his head, and the LORD will reward you.
23 The north wind begets the rain, and a backbiting tongue, black looks.	23 The north wind brings forth rain; and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.
24 Better the corner of a roof to live on than a house shared with a quarrelsome woman.	24 It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a contentious woman.
25 Cold water to a thirsty throat; such is good news from a distant land.	25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so 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 muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous 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 It is not good to eat much honey, so be sparing of complimentary words.
28 An open town, and without defences: such is anyone who lacks self-control.	28 A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.