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Segunda colección de dichos de Salomón

25 También éstos son dichos de Salomón, copiados por gente al servicio de Ezequías, rey de Judá:

Es gloria de Dios tener secretos,
y honra de los reyes penetrar en ellos.

La altura del cielo,
la profundidad de la tierra
y los pensamientos de los reyes,
son cosas en las que no es posible penetrar.

Aparta de la plata las impurezas,
y el platero producirá una copa;
aparta del servicio del rey al malvado,
y su trono se afirmará en la justicia.

No te des importancia ante el rey,
ni tomes el lugar de la gente importante;
vale más que te inviten a subir allí,
que ser humillado ante los grandes señores.

Lo que veas con tus propios ojos
no lo lleves en seguida a los tribunales,
porque otro testigo puede desmentirte
y al final no sabrás qué hacer.

Defiéndete de quien te acuse,
pero no descubras el secreto ajeno;
10 pues alguien puede oírte y ponerte en vergüenza,
y tu mala fama será cosa sin remedio.

11 Las palabras en el momento oportuno
son como manzanas de oro incrustadas en plata.
12 Como un anillo y un collar del oro más fino,
es la sabia reprensión en quien sabe recibirla.

13 El mensajero fiel es para el que lo envía
cual frescura de nieve en día caluroso,
pues da nuevos ánimos a su señor.

14 Nubes y viento y nada de lluvia,
es quien presume de dar y nunca da nada.

15 La paciencia calma el enojo;
las palabras suaves rompen la resistencia.

16 Si encuentras miel, no comas más de la cuenta,
no sea que de mucho comer la vomites.
17 Si visitas a tu amigo, no lo hagas con frecuencia,
no sea que se canse de ti y llegue a odiarte.

18 Mazo, espada, flecha puntiaguda,
¡eso es quien declara en falso contra su amigo!

19 Confiar en un traidor en momentos de angustia
es como andar con una pierna rota
o comer con un diente picado.
20 Cantar canciones al corazón afligido
es como echar vinagre en la llaga
o quitarse la ropa en tiempo de frío.

21 Si tu enemigo tiene hambre, dale de comer;
y si tiene sed, dale de beber;
22 así harás que le arda la cara de vergüenza,
y el Señor te lo pagará.

23 Por el viento del norte viene la lluvia,
y por las malas lenguas las malas caras.

24 Más vale vivir en el borde de la azotea,
que en una amplia mansión con una mujer pendenciera.

25 Como agua fresca en garganta sedienta
así caen las buenas noticias de tierras lejanas.

26 Manantial de agua turbia y revuelta
es el inocente que tiembla ante el culpable.

27 No hace bien comer mucha miel,
pero es una honra investigar lo difícil.

28 Como ciudad sin muralla y expuesta al peligro,
así es quien no sabe dominar sus impulsos.

25 These also are proverbs of Shlomo; the men of Hizkiyah king of Y’hudah copied them out:

God gets glory from concealing things;
    kings get glory from investigating things.
Like the sky for height or the earth for depth
    is the heart of kings — unfathomable.
Remove the impurities from the silver,
    and the smith has material to make a vessel.
Remove the wicked from the king’s presence,
    and his throne will rest firmly on righteousness.
Don’t put yourself forward in the king’s presence;
    don’t take a place among the great.
For it is better to be told, “Come up here,”
    than be degraded in the presence of a nobleman.

What your eyes have seen,
    don’t rush to present in a dispute.
For what will you do later on,
    if your neighbor puts you to shame?
Discuss your dispute with your neighbor,
    but don’t reveal another person’s secrets.
10 If you do, and he hears of it, he will disgrace you,
    and your bad reputation will stick.

11 Like apples of gold in settings of silver
    is a word appropriately spoken.
12 Like a gold earring, like a fine gold necklace
    is a wise reprover to a receptive ear.
13 Like the coldness of snow in the heat of the harvest
    is a faithful messenger to the one who sends him;
    he refreshes his master’s spirit.
14 Like clouds and wind that bring no rain
    is he who boasts of gifts he never gives.

15 With patience a ruler may be won over,
    and a gentle tongue can break bones.

16 If you find honey, eat only what you need;
    for if you eat too much of it, you may throw it up;
17 so don’t visit your neighbor too much,
    or he may get his fill of you and come to hate you.

18 Like a club, a sword or a sharp arrow
    is a person who gives false testimony against a neighbor.

19 Relying on an untrustworthy person in a time of trouble
    is like [relying on] a broken tooth or an unsteady leg.

20 Like removing clothes on a chilly day or like vinegar on soda
    is someone who sings songs to a heavy heart.

21 If someone who hates you is hungry, give him food to eat;
    and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
22 For you will heap fiery coals [of shame] on his head,
    and Adonai will reward you.
23 The north wind brings rain
    and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.

24 It is better to live on a corner of the roof
    than to share the house with a nagging wife.

25 Like cold water to a person faint from thirst
    is good news from a distant land.

26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted well
    is a righteous person who gives way before the wicked.

27 It isn’t good to eat too much honey
    or to seek honor after honor.

28 Like a city breached, without walls,
    is a person who lacks self-control.

More Proverbs from Solomon

25 Here are some more proverbs by Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, transcribed.

It is the glory of God to conceal a matter,
    and the glory of kings to investigate a matter.
Just as the heavens are high
    and earth is deep,
        so the heart of a king is unfathomable.

Purge the dross from the silver,
    and material for[a] a vessel comes forth for the silversmith.
Purge the wicked from the king’s presence,
    and his throne will be established in righteousness.

Don’t magnify yourself in the presence of a king,
    and don’t pretend to be in the company of famous men,
for it is better that it be told you, “Come up here,”
    than for you to be placed lower
        in the presence of an official.

What you’ve seen with your own eyes,
don’t be in a hurry to argue in court.
Otherwise, what will you do later on
    when your neighbor humiliates you?
Instead, take up the matter with your neighbor,
    and don’t betray another person’s confidence.
10 Otherwise, anyone who hears will make you ashamed,
    and your bad reputation will never leave you.

11 Like golden apples set in silver
    is a word spoken at the right time.
12 Like a gold earring and a necklace of pure gold
    is a wise reprover to a listening ear.

13 Like cold snow during harvest time
    is a faithful messenger to those who send him;
        he refreshes his masters.
14 Like clouds and winds without rain
    is the man who brags
        about gifts he never gave.

15 Through patience a ruler may be persuaded;
    a gentle word[b] can break a bone.

16 If you find some honey,
    eat only what you need.
Take too much,
    and you’ll vomit.

17 Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s home;
    otherwise, he’ll grow weary and hate you.

18 A club, a sword, and a sharp arrow—
    that’s what a man is who lies about his neighbor.

19 A bad tooth and an unsteady foot—
    that’s what confidence in an unreliable man is like
        in a time of trouble.

20 Taking your coat off when it’s cold
    or pouring vinegar on soda—
        that’s what singing songs does to a heavy heart.

21 If your enemy hungers, give him food to eat;
    and if he thirsts, give him water to drink.
22 For you’ll be piling burning coals of shame[c] on his head
    and the Lord will reward you.

23 The north wind brings rain,
    and a backbiting tongue an angry look.

24 It’s better to live in a corner on the roof
    than in a house with a contentious woman.

25 Cold water to someone who is thirsty[d]
    that’s what good news from a distant land is.

26 A muddied spring or a polluted well—
    that’s what a righteous person is
        who compromises with the wicked.

27 To eat too much honey isn’t good;
    and neither is it honorable to seek one’s own glory.

28 Like a city with breached walls
    is a man without self-control.

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 25:4 The Heb. lacks material for
  2. Proverbs 25:15 Lit. tongue
  3. Proverbs 25:22 The Heb. lacks of shame
  4. Proverbs 25:25 Or tired