Proverbs 25
New Catholic Bible
Proverbs of Solomon from the Collection of the Men of Hezekiah[a]
These are some other proverbs of Solomon that were transcribed by the men of King Hezekiah of Judah:
Chapter 25
These are some other proverbs of Solomon that were transcribed by the men of King Hezekiah of Judah:
God, the King, and the People[b]
2 To keep something secret is the glory of God,
but to have it searched out is the glory of kings.
3 Like the heavens in height and the earth in depth,
the heart of a king is unfathomable.[c]
4 If you remove the dross from silver,
it emerges completely purified.
5 If you remove the wicked from the king’s presence,
his throne will be founded on righteousness.
6 [d]Do not push yourself forward in the king’s presence
or take a place where the great assemble.
7 For it is better to be told, “Come up closer,”
than to be humiliated in the presence of the prince.
Observations and Recommendations[e]
8 What your eyes have witnessed,
do not hastily testify to at the trial;
for what will you do at the end
when your neighbor puts you to shame?
9 Argue your case with your neighbor
but do not disclose another’s secret,
10 for fear your listener will reproach you
and your reputation will be irretrievably damaged.[f]
11 Like apples of gold inlaid with silver
are words that are aptly spoken.
12 Like a gold ring or a necklace of fine gold
is a wise man’s rebuke to an attentive ear.
13 Like the coolness of snow at the time of harvest
is a faithful messenger to those who dispatch him;
he revives the spirit of his masters.
14 Like clouds and wind that bring no rain[g]
is the one who boasts of gifts that are never given.
15 A ruler may be won over by patience,
and a gentle tongue can break bones.
16 If you find honey, eat only enough to satisfy you,
for if you consume too much, you will vomit it up.
17 Do not enter too frequently into your neighbor’s house
lest he become tired of you and begin to hate you.
18 Like a club or a sword or a keen arrow
is one who bears false witness against a neighbor.
19 Like a decaying tooth or a lame foot
is trust in a faithless man on the day of trouble.
20 Like one who takes away clothing on a cold day,
like one who dresses a wound with vinegar,
is one who sings songs to a grieving heart.[h]
21 [i]If your enemy is hungry, give him something to eat;
if he is thirsty, offer him something to drink.
22 By doing so you will heap fiery coals upon his head,
and the Lord will reward you.
23 The north wind produces rain,
and a backbiting tongue causes angry looks.
24 It is better to live on the corner of a roof
than to share a spacious house with a nagging wife.[j]
25 Like cold water to a thirsty throat
is good news from a distant land.
26 Like a muddy spring or a polluted well
is a righteous man who trembles before the wicked.
27 It is not good to eat too much honey,
neither is it honorable to seek one’s own honor.
28 Like a city that has been breached and made defenseless
is the man devoid of self-control.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 25:1 The kingdom of the North disappeared in 721 B.C. with the fall of Samaria; only the southern kingdom, the Kingdom of Judah remained. Hezekiah was the first to preside over the latter’s destiny after the great catastrophe in the North. He left behind him the memory of a founder and organizer (2 Ki 18–20; 2 Chr 29–32). One of his undertakings was to assemble at Jerusalem the writings that Israel already possessed, those of the North as well as those of the South. With the help of the scribes, who were the educated people of the time, he organized a kind of national library. At that time some proverbs were collected as they stood; these, no doubt, form the main block in this part of the Book. Later on, scribes transcribing and commenting on this collection must have added further sayings. Together with chapters 10–22, to which it is related by content and style, this collection is the oldest part of the present Book of Proverbs. In general, the sayings remain without order; once or twice, however, the authors have tried to group together some proverbs that are concerned with the same theme. Accordingly, we will suggest simply a few points that merit attention.
- Proverbs 25:2 Since the prince is held in great esteem by his subjects, above all he is expected to be just.
- Proverbs 25:3 The heart of a king is unfathomable: i.e., it cannot be understood—like the four things in Prov 30:18-19—yet God has control over a king’s heart (see Prov 21:1).
- Proverbs 25:6 Jesus spoke of a similar situation and called for humility (see Lk 14:10).
- Proverbs 25:8 In these varied sayings, one will find many considerations about human relations: trials, the true word, fidelity. There is also a less current idea that recommends going to the aid of enemies (vv. 21-22), which is cited by Paul in Rom 12:20 to inculcate love of enemies; the coals may signify the remorse that leads to repentance.
- Proverbs 25:10 Your reputation will be irretrievably damaged: an honorable name is more precious than great wealth (see note on Prov 22:1).
- Proverbs 25:14 Clouds . . . that bring no rain: this image is applied by the New Testament to those who bear no fruit (see Jude 12).
- Proverbs 25:20 The bitterness of suffering is increased because of a neighbor’s insensitivity.
- Proverbs 25:21 These two verses are quoted by Paul (see Rom 12:20) as expressing a way to overcome evil with good (see also Prov 20:22).
- Proverbs 25:24 We have already seen this pessimistic saying in Prov 21:9.
箴言 25
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Simplified)
所罗门的箴言（续）
25 以下也是所罗门的箴言，由犹大王希西迦的人抄录。
2 将事隐藏是上帝的荣耀，
把事查明是君王的光荣。
3 天之高，地之厚，
君王的心测不透。
4 除掉银子里的渣滓，
银匠就能铸造器皿。
5 清除君王身边的恶人，
王位必因公义而巩固。
6 不可在王面前妄自尊大，
不要占据大人物的位子。
7 与其在权贵面前受羞辱，
不如等人邀请你坐上座。
8 不可鲁莽地打官司，
以免败诉、羞愧难当。
9 遇到跟邻舍争讼，
不可泄露其秘密，
10 免得听见的人辱骂你，
你的恶名将永难洗刷。
11 一句话说得合宜，
就像金苹果放在银器里。
12 对受教者而言，
智者的责备犹如金耳环和金饰物。
13 忠信的使者叫主人心里舒畅，
就像夏收之时有冰雪的凉气。
14 夸口送礼物却食言的人，
就像没有雨水的风和云。
15 坚忍说服君王，
柔舌折断骨头。
16 找到蜂蜜要酌量而食，
免得吃多了呕吐。
17 不要频频去邻舍家，
免得惹人烦、遭人厌。
18 作伪证陷害邻舍的人，
无异于大锤、刀和利箭。
19 危难时投靠奸诈之人，
形同倚靠坏牙和跛脚。
20 对忧伤的人唱歌，
如同天寒脱衣、伤口撒盐。
21 你的仇敌若饿了，
就给他吃的；
若渴了，就给他水喝；
22 因为你这是把炭火堆在他头上，
耶和华必奖赏你。
23 北风带来雨水，
谗言激起愤怒。
24 宁愿住在屋顶的一角，
不跟争闹的妻子同屋。
25 有好消息从远方传来，
如凉水滋润干渴的人。
26 义人向恶人低头，
就像清泉被搅浑，
水井受污染。
27 蜂蜜吃得太多有害无益，
追求自己的荣耀也不光彩。
28 无法自制的人就像被攻破的无墙之城。
Proverbs 25
New King James Version
Further Wise Sayings of Solomon
25 These(A) also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied:
2 (B)It is the glory of God to conceal a matter,
But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
3 As the heavens for height and the earth for depth,
So the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4 (C)Take away the dross from silver,
And it will go to the silversmith for jewelry.
5 Take away the wicked from before the king,
And his throne will be established in (D)righteousness.
6 Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king,
And do not stand in the place of the great;
7 (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.
8 (F)Do not go hastily to [a]court;
For what will you do in the end,
When your neighbor has put you to shame?
9 (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.
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
- Proverbs 25:8 Lit. contend or bring a lawsuit
- Proverbs 25:10 the evil report concerning you not pass away
- Proverbs 25:26 ruined
Chinese Contemporary Bible Copyright © 1979, 2005, 2007, 2011 by Biblica® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
