Proverbs 25

The Hezekiah collection begins with proverbs about conduct before kings, the value of a timely word, and the danger of false boasting. Memorable images abound: cold water to a weary soul, vinegar on a wound, coals of fire on an enemy's head, and a city without walls for the man who has no self-control.

v	King James Version	Modern English
1	These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.	These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
2	It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.	It is the glory of God to conceal a thing; but the honor of kings is to search out a matter.
3	The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.	The heaven for height, the earth for depth, and the heart of kings are unsearchable.
4	Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.	Take away the dross from the silver, and there will come forth a vessel for the refiner.
5	Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.	Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.
6	Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men:	Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king, and do not stand in 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.	for it is better that it be said to you, "Come up here," than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince whom your eyes have seen.
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.	Do not go forth hastily to strive, lest you know not what to do in the end, when your neighbor has put you to shame.
9	Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another:	Debate your cause with your neighbor himself, and do not disclose a secret to another,
10	Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.	lest he who hears it put you to shame, and your bad name not turn away.
11	A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.	A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
12	As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.	Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold, so 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.	Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him, for he refreshes the soul of his masters.
14	Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.	Whoever boasts of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.
15	By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.	By long patience a prince is persuaded, and a soft tongue breaks the bone.
16	Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.	Have you found honey? Eat only as much as is enough for you, lest you be filled with it and vomit.
17	Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.	Withdraw your foot from your neighbor's house, lest he be weary of you and so hate you.
18	A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.	A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is a club, a sword, and a sharp arrow.
19	Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.	Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth and a foot out of joint.
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.	Like one who takes away a garment in cold weather, and like vinegar on soda, so is he who sings songs to a heavy heart.
21	If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:	If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
22	For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.	For You will heap coals of fire on His head, and the LORD will reward You.
23	The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.	The north wind drives away rain, and so does an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.
24	It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.	It is better to live in the corner of the housetop than with a contentious woman in a wide house.
25	As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.	Like cold waters to a thirsty soul 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.	A righteous man falling down before the wicked is like a troubled fountain and a corrupt spring.
27	It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.	It is not good to eat much honey, and for men to search their own glory is not glory.
28	He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.	He who has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down and without walls.