Proverbs 25

Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied.	1 These also are proverbs of Solomon. The men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, transmitted them.
2 It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.	2 God has glory in what he conceals, kings have glory in what they fathom.
3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the mind of kings is unsearchable.	3 As the heavens in height, and the earth in depth, the heart of kings is unfathomable.
4 Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel;	4 Remove the dross from silver, and it comes forth perfectly purified;
5 take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.	5 Remove the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne is made firm through righteousness.
6 Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence or 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 to be told, "Come up here," than to be put lower in the presence of the prince. What your eyes have seen	7 For it is better that you be told, "Come up closer!" than that you be humbled before the prince.
8 do not hastily bring into court; for what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame?	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 neighbor himself, and do not disclose another's secret;	9 Discuss your case with your neighbor, but another man's secret do not disclose;
10 lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your ill repute have no end.	10 Lest, hearing it, he reproach you, and your ill repute cease not.
11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.	11 Like golden apples in silver settings are words spoken at the proper time.
12 Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear.	12 Like a golden earring, or a necklace of fine gold, is a wise reprover to an obedient ear.
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.	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 Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give.	14 Like clouds and wind when no rain follows is the man who boastfully promises what he never gives.
15 With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.	15 By patience is a ruler persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.
16 If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you be sated with it and vomit it.	16 If you find honey, eat only what you need, lest you become glutted with it and vomit it up.
17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house, lest he become weary of you and 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 bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, or a sword, or 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 Trust in a faithless man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.	19 Like an infected tooth or an unsteady foot is (dependence on) a faithless man in time of trouble.
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.	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 bread to eat; and 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 heap coals of fire on his head, and the LORD will reward you.	22 For live coals you will heap on his head, and the LORD will vindicate you.
23 The north wind brings forth rain; and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.	23 The north wind brings rain, and a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.
24 It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a contentious woman.	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 is good news from a far country.	25 Like cool water to one faint from thirst is good news from a far country.
26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way 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 much honey, so be sparing of complimentary words.	27 To eat too much honey is not good; nor to seek honor after honor.
28 A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.	28 Like an open city with no defenses is the man with no check on his feelings.