Print Page Options

25 Also these be the Parables of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, translated.

The glory of God is to cover a word; and the glory of kings is to seek out a word. (The glory of God be those things which he hath hidden; and the glory of kings is to search them out.)

Heaven above, and the earth beneath, and the heart of kings is unsearchable. (The heavens be above, and the earth is beneath, and a king’s heart is unsearchable.)

Do thou away rust from silver, and a full clean vessel shall go out.

Do thou away unpiety from the cheer of the king (Take thou away wicked persons from before the king), and his throne shall be made steadfast by rightfulness.

Appear thou not glorious before the king, and stand thou not in the place of great men.

For it is better, that it be said to thee, Ascend thou hither (Come thou up here), than that thou be made low before the prince.

Bring thou not forth soon those things in strife, which thine eyes saw; lest afterward thou mayest not amend, when thou hast made thy friend unhonest. (Bring thou not soon forth those things in strife, or an argument, which thine eyes saw; lest afterward thou cannot correct it, when thou hast dishonoured thy friend.)

Treat thy cause with thy friend, and show thou not (a) private (matter) to a strange man;

10 lest peradventure he have joy of thy fall (lest perhaps he have joy over thy fall), when he hath heard (of it), and cease not to do shame to thee.

11 (As) A golden pommel in beds of silver is he, that speaketh a word in his time. (Like a golden apple in beds of silver, is a word spoken at its proper time.)

12 (As) A golden earring, and a shining pearl is he, that reproveth a wise man, and an ear obeying. (Like a golden earring, and a shining pearl, is a wise person who rebuketh someone with an obedient ear.)

13 As the cold of snow in the day of harvest, so a faithful messenger to him that sent him, maketh his soul to have rest. (Like the cold of snow on the day of harvest, is a faithful messenger to him who sent him, for he maketh his soul to have rest.)

14 (As) A cloud and wind, and (then) rain not following, is a glorious man, and not [ful]filling promises. (Like a cloud and wind, but then rain not following, is a honourable person who fulfilleth not his promises.)

15 A prince shall be made soft by patience; and a soft tongue shall break hardness.

16 Thou hast found honey, eat thou (only) that that sufficeth to thee; lest peradventure thou be (over-)filled, and spew it out.

17 Withdraw thy foot from the house of thy neighbour; lest sometime he be filled (of thee), that is, annoyed (by thee), and hate thee.

18 (Like) A dart, and a sword, and a sharp arrow, (is) a man that speaketh false witnessing against his neighbour.

19 (As) A rotten tooth, and a faint foot is he, that hopeth on an unfaithful man in the day of anguish, (Like a rotten tooth, and a faint foot, is he, who hopeth on, or trusteth in, an unfaithful person on his day of anguish.)

20 and loseth his mantle in the day of cold. Vinegar in a vessel of salt is he, that singeth songs to the worst heart. As a moth harmeth a cloth, and a worm harmeth a tree, so the sorrow of a man harmeth the heart. (Like him who taketh away a mantle on a cold day, and like vinegar in a vessel of salt, is he who singeth songs to an aggrieved heart. Like a moth harmeth a cloak, and a worm harmeth a tree, so a person’s sorrow harmeth his heart.)

21 If thine enemy hungereth, feed thou him; if he thirsteth, give thou him water to drink;

22 for thou shalt gather together coals on his head; and the Lord shall yield to thee. (for thou shalt gather together coals upon his head; and the Lord shall reward thee.)

23 The north wind scattereth abroad rains; and a sorrowful face destroyeth a tongue backbiting. (Like the north wind scattereth rains abroad; so an angry look destroyeth a backbiting tongue.)

24 It is better to sit in the corner of an house without [a] roof, than with a woman full of chiding, and in a common house. (It is better to sit in the corner of a house without a roof, than to be with a woman full of arguments, or of bickering, in a house together.)

25 Cold water to a thirsty man; and a good messenger from a far land. (Like cold water to a thirsty man, is good news from a far land.)

26 (As) A well disturbed with foot, and a vein broken, (is) a just man falling before a wicked man. (Like a well disturbed with a foot, and a broken fountain, is the righteous falling before the wicked.)

27 As it is not good to him that eateth much honey; so he that is a searcher of majesty, shall be put down from glory. (Like it is not good for him who eateth too much honey; so he who seeketh his own glory, shall be brought down from his place of honour.)

28 As a city open, and without compass of walls; so is a man that may not refrain his spirit in speaking. (Like a city that is open, and without any walls surrounding it, is a man who cannot refrain his own spirit from speaking.)

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

Further Wise Sayings of Solomon

25 These(A) also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied:

(B)It is the glory of God to conceal a matter,
But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.

As the heavens for height and the earth for depth,
So the heart of kings is unsearchable.

(C)Take away the dross from silver,
And it will go to the silversmith for jewelry.
Take away the wicked from before the king,
And his throne will be established in (D)righteousness.

Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king,
And do not stand in the place of the great;
(E)For it is better that he say to you,
“Come up here,”
Than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince,
Whom your eyes have seen.

(F)Do not go hastily to [a]court;
For what will you do in the end,
When your neighbor has put you to shame?
(G)Debate your case with your neighbor,
And do not disclose the secret to another;
10 Lest he who hears it expose your shame,
And [b]your reputation be ruined.

11 A word fitly (H)spoken is like apples of gold
In settings of silver.
12 Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold
Is a wise rebuker to an obedient ear.

13 (I)Like the cold of snow in time of harvest
Is a faithful messenger to those who send him,
For he refreshes the soul of his masters.

14 (J)Whoever falsely boasts of giving
Is like (K)clouds and wind without rain.

15 (L)By long forbearance a ruler is persuaded,
And a gentle tongue breaks a bone.

16 Have you found honey?
Eat only as much as you need,
Lest you be filled with it and vomit.

17 Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house,
Lest he become weary of you and hate you.

18 (M)A man who bears false witness against his neighbor
Is like a club, a sword, and a sharp arrow.

19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble
Is like a bad tooth and a foot out of joint.

20 Like one who takes away a garment in cold weather,
And like vinegar on soda,
Is one who (N)sings songs to a heavy heart.

21 (O)If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat;
And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
22 For so you will heap coals of fire on his head,
(P)And the Lord will reward you.

23 The north wind brings forth rain,
And (Q)a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.

24 (R)It is better to dwell in a corner of a housetop,
Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.

25 As cold water to a weary soul,
So is (S)good news from a far country.

26 A righteous man who falters before the wicked
Is like a murky spring and a [c]polluted well.

27 It is not good to eat much honey;
So (T)to seek one’s own glory is not glory.

28 (U)Whoever has no rule over his own spirit
Is like a city broken down, without walls.

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 25:8 Lit. contend or bring a lawsuit
  2. Proverbs 25:10 the evil report concerning you not pass away
  3. Proverbs 25:26 ruined

所羅門的箴言(續)

25 以下也是所羅門的箴言,由猶大王希西迦的人抄錄。

將事隱藏是上帝的榮耀,
    把事查明是君王的光榮。
天之高,地之厚,
    君王的心測不透。
除掉銀子裡的渣滓,
    銀匠就能鑄造器皿。
清除君王身邊的惡人,
    王位必因公義而鞏固。
不可在王面前妄自尊大,
    不要佔據大人物的位子。
與其在權貴面前受羞辱,
    不如等人邀請你坐上座。
不可魯莽地打官司,
    以免敗訴、羞愧難當。
遇到跟鄰舍爭訟,
    不可洩露其秘密,
10 免得聽見的人辱罵你,
    你的惡名將永難洗刷。
11 一句話說得合宜,
    就像金蘋果放在銀器裡。
12 對受教者而言,
    智者的責備猶如金耳環和金飾物。
13 忠信的使者叫主人心裡舒暢,
    就像夏收之時有冰雪的涼氣。
14 誇口送禮物卻食言的人,
    就像沒有雨水的風和雲。
15 堅忍說服君王,
    柔舌折斷骨頭。
16 找到蜂蜜要酌量而食,
    免得吃多了嘔吐。
17 不要頻頻去鄰舍家,
    免得惹人煩、遭人厭。
18 作偽證陷害鄰舍的人,
    無異於大錘、刀和利箭。
19 危難時投靠奸詐之人,
    形同倚靠壞牙和跛腳。
20 對憂傷的人唱歌,
    如同天寒脫衣、傷口撒鹽。
21 你的仇敵若餓了,
    就給他吃的;
    若渴了,就給他水喝;
22 因為你這是把炭火堆在他頭上,
    耶和華必獎賞你。
23 北風帶來雨水,
    讒言激起憤怒。
24 寧願住在屋頂的一角,
    不跟爭鬧的妻子同屋。
25 有好消息從遠方傳來,
    如涼水滋潤乾渴的人。
26 義人向惡人低頭,
    就像清泉被攪渾,
    水井受污染。
27 蜂蜜吃得太多有害無益,
    追求自己的榮耀也不光彩。
28 無法自制的人就像被攻破的無牆之城。

25 Also these are Proverbs of Solomon, that men of Hezekiah king of Judah transcribed: --

The honour of God [is] to hide a thing, And the honour of kings to search out a matter.

The heavens for height, and the earth for depth, And the heart of kings -- [are] unsearchable.

Take away dross from silver, And a vessel for the refiner goeth forth,

Take away the wicked before a king, And established in righteousness is his throne.

Honour not thyself before a king, And in the place of the great stand not.

For better [that] he hath said to thee, `Come thou up hither,' Than [that] he humble thee before a noble, Whom thine eyes have seen.

Go not forth to strive, haste, turn, What dost thou in its latter end, When thy neighbour causeth thee to blush?

Thy cause plead with thy neighbour, And the secret counsel of another reveal not,

10 Lest the hearer put thee to shame, And thine evil report turn not back.

11 Apples of gold in imagery of silver, [Is] the word spoken at its fit times.

12 A ring of gold, and an ornament of pure gold, [Is] the wise reprover to an attentive ear.

13 As a vessel of snow in a day of harvest, [So is] a faithful ambassador to those sending him, And the soul of his masters he refresheth.

14 Clouds and wind, and rain there is none, [Is] a man boasting himself in a false gift.

15 By long-suffering is a ruler persuaded, And a soft tongue breaketh a bone.

16 Honey thou hast found -- eat thy sufficiency, Lest thou be satiated [with] it, and hast vomited it.

17 Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house, Lest he be satiated [with] thee, and have hated thee.

18 A maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow, [Is] the man testifying against his neighbour a false testimony.

19 A bad tooth, and a tottering foot, [Is] the confidence of the treacherous in a day of adversity.

20 Whoso is taking away a garment in a cold day, [Is as] vinegar on nitre, And a singer of songs on a sad heart.

21 If he who is hating thee doth hunger, cause him to eat bread, And if he thirst, cause him to drink water.

22 For coals thou art putting on his head, And Jehovah giveth recompense to thee.

23 A north wind bringeth forth rain, And a secret tongue -- indignant faces.

24 Better to sit on a corner of a roof, Than [with] a woman of contentions, and a house of company.

25 [As] cold waters for a weary soul, So [is] a good report from a far country.

26 A spring troubled, and a fountain corrupt, [Is] the righteous falling before the wicked.

27 The eating of much honey is not good, Nor a searching out of one's own honour -- honour.

28 A city broken down without walls, [Is] a man without restraint over his spirit!