Proverbs 25

CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 These, too, are parables of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, transferred.	1 These also are proverbs of Solomon. The men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, transmitted them.
2 It is to the glory of God to conceal a word, and it is to the glory of kings to investigate speech.	2 God has glory in what he conceals, kings have glory in what they fathom.
3 Heaven above, and earth below, and the heart of kings are each unsearchable.	3 As the heavens in height, and the earth in depth, the heart of kings is unfathomable.
4 Take away the tarnish from silver, and a most pure vessel will go forth.	4 Remove the dross from silver, and it comes forth perfectly purified;
5 Take away impiety from the face of the king, and his throne shall be made firm by justice.	5 Remove the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne is made firm through righteousness.
6 Do not appear glorious before the king, and do not stand in the place of the great.	6 Claim no honor in the king's presence, nor occupy the place of great men;
7 For it is better that it should be said to you, “Ascend to here,” than that you should be humbled before the prince.	7 For it is better that you be told, "Come up closer!" than that you be humbled before the prince.
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.	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 Argue your case with your friend, and do not reveal the secret to an outsider,	9 Discuss your case with your neighbor, but another man's secret do not disclose;
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.	10 Lest, hearing it, he reproach you, and your ill repute cease not.
11 Whoever speaks a word at an opportune time is like apples of gold on beds of silver.	11 Like golden apples in silver settings are words spoken at the proper time.
12 Whoever reproves the wise and obedient ear is like an earring of gold with a shining pearl.	12 Like a golden earring, or a necklace of fine gold, is a wise reprover to an obedient ear.
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.	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 A man who boasts and does not fulfill his promises is like clouds and wind, when rain does not follow.	14 Like clouds and wind when no rain follows is the man who boastfully promises what he never gives.
15 By patience, a leader shall be appeased, and a soft tongue shall break hardness.	15 By patience is a ruler persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.
16 You have discovered honey; eat what is sufficient for you, lest perhaps, being filled up, you may vomit it.	16 If you find honey, eat only what you need, lest you become glutted with it and vomit it up.
17 Withdraw your feet from the house of your neighbor, lest, when he has had his fill, he may hate 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 man who speaks false testimony against his neighbor is like a dart and a sword and a sharp arrow.	18 Like a club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow, is the man who bears false witness against his neighbor.
19 Whoever sets his hopes on the unfaithful in a day of anguish is like a rotten tooth and weary foot,	19 Like an infected tooth or an unsteady foot is (dependence on) a faithless man in time of trouble.
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.	20 Like a moth in clothing, or a maggot in wood, sorrow gnaws at the human heart.
21 If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him water to drink.	21 If your enemy be hungry, give him food to eat, if he be thirsty, give him to drink;
22 For you will gather hot coals upon his head, and the Lord will repay you.	22 For live coals you will heap on his head, and the LORD will vindicate you.
23 The north wind brings forth the rain, and a sorrowful face brings forth a detracting tongue.	23 The north wind brings rain, and a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.
24 It is better to sit in a corner of the attic, than with an argumentative woman and in a shared house.	24 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop than in a roomy house with a quarrelsome woman.
25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so too are good reports from a far away land.	25 Like cool water to one faint from thirst is good news from a far country.
26 The just falling down before the impious is like a fountain stirred up by feet and like a corrupted spring.	26 Like a troubled fountain or a polluted spring is a just man who gives way before the wicked.
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.	27 To eat too much honey is not good; nor to seek honor after honor.
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.	28 Like an open city with no defenses is the man with no check on his feelings.