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25 These are also mishlei Sh’lomo, which the anashim of Chizkiyah Melech Yehudah copied out:

It is the Kavod Elohim to conceal a thing, but the kavod melachim is to search out a matter.

The Shomayim for height, and Eretz for depth, so the lev melachim is unsearchable.

Take away the dross from the kesef, and there shall come forth a vessel for the tzoref (silversmith);

Take away the rasha from before Melech, and his kisse shall be established in tzedek.

Do not exalt thyself in the presence of Melech, and stand not in the makom (place) of gedolim;

For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up here, than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the noble whom thine eynayim have seen.

Go not forth hastily to bring a lawsuit, lest thou know not what to do in the acharit thereof, when thy re’a hath put thee to shame.

Plead thy cause with thy re’a himself; and betray not a sod (confidence) to another,

10 Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and the evil report of thee never depart.

11 A word aptly spoken is like tapukhim (apples) of zahav in settings of kesef.

12 As a nezem (earring) of zahav, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a mochi’ach chacham (a wise reprover) upon an obedient ozen.

13 As the cold of sheleg (snow) in the yom katzir (day of harvest), so is a tzir ne’eman (faithful envoy) to them that send him; for he refresheth the nefesh of his adonim.

14 He who boasteth falsely of giving is like clouds and ruach (wind) without geshem (rain).

15 By forbearance is a katzin (ruler) persuaded, and a gentle lashon breaketh the bone.

16 Hast thou found devash? Eat only as much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it out.

17 Let thy regel (foot) seldom be in thy neighbor’s bais; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.

18 An ish that beareth ed sheker (false witness) against his re’a is a club, and a cherev, and a sharp khetz (arrow).

19 Confidence in a boged in the yom tzarah is like a shen ra’ah (bad tooth), and a regel out of joint.

20 As he that taketh away a beged (garment) on a cold day, and as chometz (vinegar) upon lye, so is he that singeth shirim (songs) to a lev rah (heavy heart, i.e., depressed person).

21 If thine enemy be hungry, give him lechem to eat, and if he be thirsty, give him mayim to drink;

22 For so shalt thou heap hot coals upon his rosh, and Hashem shall reward thee.

23 The ruach tzafon (north wind) brings forth geshem; so doth a lashon seter (backbiting tongue) bring an angry countenance.

24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the gag (roof), than in a bais shared with a quarrelsome isha.

25 As cold mayim to a weary nefesh, so is good news from a far country.

26 A tzaddik who falters before the rasha is like a muddy spring, and a polluted makor (fountain).

27 It is not tov to eat much devash; so for men to seek their own kavod is not glory.

28 He that hath no rule over his own ruach is like an ir that is broken down, and without a chomah (wall).

More Proverbs of Solomon

25 These are more proverbs(A) of Solomon, compiled by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:(B)

It is the glory of God to conceal a matter;
    to search out a matter is the glory of kings.(C)
As the heavens are high and the earth is deep,
    so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.

Remove the dross from the silver,
    and a silversmith can produce a vessel;
remove wicked officials from the king’s presence,(D)
    and his throne will be established(E) through righteousness.(F)

Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence,
    and do not claim a place among his great men;
it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,”(G)
    than for him to humiliate you before his nobles.

What you have seen with your eyes
    do not bring[a] hastily to court,
for what will you do in the end
    if your neighbor puts you to shame?(H)

If you take your neighbor to court,
    do not betray another’s confidence,
10 or the one who hears it may shame you
    and the charge against you will stand.

11 Like apples[b] of gold in settings of silver(I)
    is a ruling rightly given.
12 Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold
    is the rebuke of a wise judge to a listening ear.(J)

13 Like a snow-cooled drink at harvest time
    is a trustworthy messenger to the one who sends him;
    he refreshes the spirit of his master.(K)
14 Like clouds and wind without rain
    is one who boasts of gifts never given.

15 Through patience a ruler can be persuaded,(L)
    and a gentle tongue can break a bone.(M)

16 If you find honey, eat just enough—
    too much of it, and you will vomit.(N)
17 Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house—
    too much of you, and they will hate you.

18 Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow
    is one who gives false testimony against a neighbor.(O)
19 Like a broken tooth or a lame foot
    is reliance on the unfaithful in a time of trouble.
20 Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day,
    or like vinegar poured on a wound,
    is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.

21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;
    if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
22 In doing this, you will heap burning coals(P) on his head,
    and the Lord will reward you.(Q)

23 Like a north wind that brings unexpected rain
    is a sly tongue—which provokes a horrified look.

24 Better to live on a corner of the roof
    than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.(R)

25 Like cold water to a weary soul
    is good news from a distant land.(S)
26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted well
    are the righteous who give way to the wicked.

27 It is not good to eat too much honey,(T)
    nor is it honorable to search out matters that are too deep.(U)

28 Like a city whose walls are broken through
    is a person who lacks self-control.

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 25:8 Or nobles / on whom you had set your eyes. / Do not go
  2. Proverbs 25:11 Or possibly apricots