Proverbs 25
English Standard Version
More Proverbs of Solomon
25 These also are (A)proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied.
2 It is the glory of God to (B)conceal things,
but the glory of kings is to (C)search things out.
3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth,
so the heart of kings is (D)unsearchable.
4 Take away (E)the dross from the silver,
and (F)the smith has material for a vessel;
5 take away (G)the wicked from the presence of the king,
and his (H)throne will be established in righteousness.
6 Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence
or stand in the place of the great,
7 for (I)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
8 (J)do not hastily bring into court,[a]
for[b] what will you do in the end,
when your neighbor puts you to shame?
9 (K)Argue your case with your neighbor himself,
and do not reveal another's secret,
10 lest he who hears you bring shame upon you,
and your ill repute have no end.
11 (L)A word fitly spoken
is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.
12 Like (M)a gold ring or an ornament of gold
is a wise reprover to (N)a listening ear.
13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest
is (O)a faithful messenger to those who send him;
he refreshes the soul of his masters.
14 Like (P)clouds and wind without rain
is a man who (Q)boasts of a gift he does not give.
15 With (R)patience a ruler may be persuaded,
and a soft tongue will break a bone.
16 If you have (S)found honey, eat (T)only enough for you,
lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.
17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house,
lest he have his fill of you and hate you.
18 A man who (U)bears false witness against his neighbor
is like a war club, or (V)a sword, or a sharp arrow.
19 Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble
is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.
20 Whoever (W)sings songs to a heavy heart
is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day,
and like vinegar on soda.
21 (X)If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat,
and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,
22 for you will heap (Y)burning coals on his head,
and the Lord will reward you.
23 The north wind brings forth rain,
and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.
24 (Z)It is better to live in a corner of the housetop
than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.
25 Like cold water to (AA)a thirsty soul,
so is (AB)good news from a far country.
26 Like (AC)a muddied spring or a polluted fountain
is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
27 It is (AD)not good to eat much honey,
nor is it glorious to (AE)seek one's own glory.[c]
28 A man (AF)without self-control
is like (AG)a city broken into and left without walls.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 25:8 Or presence of a noble, as your eyes have seen. 8 Do not go hastily out to court
- Proverbs 25:8 Hebrew or else
- Proverbs 25:27 The meaning of the Hebrew line is uncertain
Proverbs 25
New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised
Further Wise Sayings of Solomon
25 These are other proverbs of Solomon that the officials of King Hezekiah of Judah copied.
2 It is the glory of God to conceal things,
but the glory of kings is to search things out.
3 Like the heavens for height, like the earth for depth,
so the mind of kings is unsearchable.
4 Take away the dross from the silver,
and the smith has material for a vessel;
5 take away the wicked from the presence of the king,
and his throne will be established in righteousness.
6 Do not put yourself forward in the king’s presence
or stand in the place of the great;
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
8 do not hastily bring into court;
for[a] what will you do in the end,
when your neighbour puts you to shame?
9 Argue your case with your neighbour directly,
and do not disclose another’s secret;
10 or else someone who hears you will bring shame upon you,
and your ill repute will have no end.
11 A word fitly spoken
is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.
12 Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold
is a wise rebuke to a listening ear.
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.
14 Like clouds and wind without rain
is one who boasts of a gift never given.
15 With patience a ruler may be persuaded,
and a soft tongue can break bones.
16 If you have found honey, eat only enough for you,
or else, having too much, you will vomit it.
17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbour’s house,
otherwise the neighbour will become weary of you and hate you.
18 Like a war club, a sword, or a sharp arrow
is one who bears false witness against a neighbour.
19 Like a bad tooth or a lame foot
is trust in a faithless person in time of trouble.
20 Like vinegar on a wound[b]
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.[c]
21 If your enemies are hungry, give them bread to eat;
and if they are thirsty, give them water to drink;
22 for you will heap coals of fire on their heads,
and the Lord will reward you.
23 The north wind produces rain,
and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.
24 It is better to live in a corner of the housetop
than in a house shared with a contentious wife.
25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul,
so is good news from a far country.
26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain
are the righteous who give way before the wicked.
27 It is not good to eat much honey,
or to seek honour on top of honour.
28 Like a city breached, without walls,
is one who lacks self-control.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 25:8 Cn: Heb or else
- Proverbs 25:20 Gk: Heb Like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, like vinegar on lye
- Proverbs 25:20 Gk Syr Tg: Heb lacks Like a moth . . . human heart
Proverbios 25
Nueva Biblia de las Américas
Comparaciones y lecciones morales
25 También estos son proverbios de Salomón(A), que transcribieron los hombres de Ezequías, rey de Judá:
2 ¶Es gloria de Dios encubrir una cosa(B),
Pero la gloria de los reyes es investigar un asunto(C).
3 Como la altura de los cielos y la profundidad de la tierra,
Así es el corazón de los reyes, inescrutable.
4 Quita la escoria de la plata(D),
Y saldrá un vaso para el orfebre(E);
5 Quita al malo de delante del rey(F),
Y su trono se afianzará en la justicia(G).
6 No hagas ostentación ante el rey,
Y no te pongas en el lugar de los grandes;
7 Porque es mejor que te digan: «Sube acá»,
A que te humillen delante del príncipe
A quien tus ojos han visto(H).
8 ¶No te apresures a presentar pleito(I);
Pues[a] ¿qué harás al final,
Cuando tu prójimo te avergüence?
9 Discute tu caso con tu prójimo(J)
Y no descubras el secreto de otro(K),
10 No sea que te reproche el que lo oiga
Y tu mala fama no se acabe[b].
11 ¶Como manzanas de oro en engastes de plata
Es la palabra dicha a su tiempo(L).
12 Como pendiente[c] de oro(M) y adorno de oro fino(N)
Es el sabio que reprende al oído atento(O).
13 Como frescura de nieve en tiempo[d] de la siega
Es el mensajero fiel(P) para los que lo envían,
Porque refresca el alma de sus señores.
14 Como las nubes y el viento sin lluvia(Q)
Es el hombre que se jacta falsamente de sus dones[e](R).
15 Con la mucha paciencia[f] se persuade al príncipe,
Y la lengua suave quebranta los huesos(S).
16 ¿Has hallado miel(T)? Come solo lo que necesites[g],
No sea que te hartes y la vomites.
17 No frecuente tu pie la casa de tu vecino,
No sea que él se hastíe de ti y te aborrezca.
18 Como mazo y espada(U) y flecha aguda(V)
Es el hombre que levanta falso testimonio contra su prójimo(W).
19 Como diente malo y pie que resbala
Es la confianza en el hombre engañador(X) en tiempo de angustia.
20 Como el que se quita la ropa en día de frío, o como el vinagre sobre la lejía[h],
Es el que canta canciones a un corazón afligido[i].
21 Si tu enemigo[j] tiene hambre, dale de comer pan,
Y si tiene sed, dale a beber agua(Y);
22 Porque así amontonarás[k] brasas sobre su cabeza,
Y el Señor te recompensará(Z).
23 El viento del norte trae la lluvia,
Y la lengua murmuradora[l], el semblante lleno de ira(AA).
24 Mejor es vivir en un rincón del terrado
Que en una casa con mujer rencillosa[m](AB).
25 Como agua fría para el alma sedienta,
Así son las buenas nuevas de una tierra lejana(AC).
26 Como manantial turbio y pozo contaminado[n](AD)
Es el justo que cede ante el impío.
27 No es bueno comer mucha miel,
Ni el buscar la propia gloria es gloria(AE).
28 Como ciudad invadida y sin murallas(AF)
Es el hombre que no domina su espíritu(AG).
Footnotes
- 25:8 Lit. no sea que.
- 25:10 Lit. vuelva.
- 25:12 O nariguera.
- 25:13 Lit. día.
- 25:14 Lit. en un don de falsedad.
- 25:15 Lit. largura de ira.
- 25:16 Lit. tu suficiencia.
- 25:20 I.e. carbonato sódico.
- 25:20 Lit. malo.
- 25:21 Lit. el que te odia.
- 25:22 Lit. agarrarás.
- 25:23 Lit. lengua de secreto.
- 25:24 Lit. casa en común con mujer contenciosa.
- 25:26 Lit. en ruinas.
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicised Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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