25:1 These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezeki'ah king of Judah copied.
25:1 These are other proverbs of Solomon that the officials of King Hezekiah of Judah copied.

25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.
25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.

25:3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the mind of kings is unsearchable.
25:3 Like the heavens for height, like the earth for depth, so the mind of kings is unsearchable.

25:4 Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel;
25:4 Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel;

25:5 take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.
25:5 take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.

25:6 Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence or stand in the place of the great;
25:6 Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence or stand in the place of the great;

25:7 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
25:7 for it is better to be told, "Come up here," than to be put lower in the presence of a noble. What your eyes have seen

25:8 do not hastily bring into court; for what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame?
25:8 do not hastily bring into court; for what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame?

25:9 Argue your case with your neighbor himself, and do not disclose another's secret;
25:9 Argue your case with your neighbor directly, and do not disclose another's secret;

25:10 lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your ill repute have no end.
25:10 or else someone who hears you will bring shame upon you, and your ill repute will have no end.

25:11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.
25:11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.

25:12 Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear.
25:12 Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise rebuke to a listening ear.

25:13 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.
25:13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest are faithful messengers to those who send them; they refresh the spirit of their masters.

25:14 Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give.
25:14 Like clouds and wind without rain is one who boasts of a gift never given.

25:15 With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.
25:15 With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue can break bones.

25:16 If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you be sated with it and vomit it.
25:16 If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, or else, having too much, you will vomit it.

25:17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house, lest he become weary of you and hate you.
25:17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house, otherwise the neighbor will become weary of you and hate you.

25:18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.
25:18 Like a war club, a sword, or a sharp arrow is one who bears false witness against a neighbor.

25:19 Trust in a faithless man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.
25:19 Like a bad tooth or a lame foot is trust in a faithless person in time of trouble.

25:20 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.
25:20 Like vinegar on a wound is one who sings songs to a heavy heart. Like a moth in clothing or a worm in wood, sorrow gnaws at the human heart.

25:21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
25:21 If your enemies are hungry, give them bread to eat; and if they are thirsty, give them water to drink;

25:22 for you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the LORD will reward you.
25:22 for you will heap coals of fire on their heads, and the LORD will reward you.

25:23 The north wind brings forth rain; and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.
25:23 The north wind produces rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.

25:24 It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a contentious woman.
25:24 It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a contentious wife.

25:25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
25:25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.

25:26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
25:26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain are the righteous who give way before the wicked.

25:27 It is not good to eat much honey, so be sparing of complimentary words.
25:27 It is not good to eat much honey, or to seek honor on top of honor.

25:28 A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.
25:28 Like a city breached, without walls, is one who lacks self-control.