Proverbs 25

KING JAMES BIBLE	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.	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 a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.	2 God has glory in what he conceals, kings have glory in what they fathom.
3 The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart 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 there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.	4 Remove the dross from silver, and it comes forth perfectly purified;
5 Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.	5 Remove the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne is made firm through righteousness.
6 Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men:	6 Claim no honor in the king's presence, nor occupy the place of great men;
7 For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.	7 For it is better that you be told, "Come up closer!" than that you be humbled before the prince.
8 Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee 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 Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another:	9 Discuss your case with your neighbor, but another man's secret do not disclose;
10 Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.	10 Lest, hearing it, he reproach you, and your ill repute cease not.
11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.	11 Like golden apples in silver settings are words spoken at the proper time.
12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.	12 Like a golden earring, or a necklace of fine gold, is a wise reprover to an obedient ear.
13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul 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 Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.	14 Like clouds and wind when no rain follows is the man who boastfully promises what he never gives.
15 By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.	15 By patience is a ruler persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.
16 Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.	16 If you find honey, eat only what you need, lest you become glutted with it and vomit it up.
17 Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.	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 that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, 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 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.	19 Like an infected tooth or an unsteady foot is (dependence on) a faithless man in time of trouble.
20 As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.	20 Like a moth in clothing, or a maggot in wood, sorrow gnaws at the human heart.
21 If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be 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 thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.	22 For live coals you will heap on his head, and the LORD will vindicate you.
23 The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.	23 The north wind brings rain, and a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.
24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.	24 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop than in a roomy house with a quarrelsome woman.
25 As cold waters 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 A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.	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 for men to search their own glory is not glory.	27 To eat too much honey is not good; nor to seek honor after honor.
28 He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.	28 Like an open city with no defenses is the man with no check on his feelings.