Proverbs 25
The Voice
25 These words, too, are proverbs of King Solomon, words which Hezekiah, king of Judah, later told his scribes to record for posterity:
2 God’s glory is shown when He conceals things;
a king’s glory is shown in his ability to explore the facts of the matter.
3 As the heights of heaven and the depths of earth are beyond comprehension,
so are the hearts of kings.
4 Take away the impurities from the silver,
and a good smith can create something of value;
5 Take away the wicked from among the king’s advisors,
and his reign will be established with integrity.
6 Do not claim to be important in the presence of the king
or vie for a position within the company of great men.
7 Truly, it is far sweeter to have someone of influence say to you, “Come up here and join us,”
than to be ordered to some lower rank in front of a noble.
Just because you think you have seen something
8 doesn’t mean you should be quick to go to court,
For what will you do
when your neighbor disproves the charge and embarrasses you?
9 Instead, discuss the matter directly with your neighbor,
but in doing so, remember never to reveal another person’s secrets;
10 For if you do, someone who hears you could disgrace you,
and a bad reputation will cling to you ever afterward.
11 A well-spoken word at just the right moment
is like golden apples in settings of silver.
12 To an attentive ear, constructive criticism from a truly wise person
is like an earring or jewelry made of fine gold.
13 Like a cooling snow that breaks the heat of a harvest day,
so is the messenger who is faithful to those who sent him,
for he refreshes the soul of his masters.
14 Like clouds and wind that bring no rain,
so is one who boasts of gifts promised but never delivered.
15 Patience can soften up a leader,
and a tender tongue can break even bone.
16 When you find honey, remember to eat only what you need,
because if you eat in excess, you may be sick and lose all of it.
17 Don’t visit your neighbor too often,
or he will become tired of you and grow to hate you.
18 Like a maul and a sword and a sharp arrow all in one,
so is anyone who bears false witness against a neighbor.
19 Like a tooth that is rotten or a foot that is unsteady,
so is relying on a person who can’t be trusted in times of trouble.
20 Like a man who undresses in winter
or a woman who pours vinegar on a wound,[a]
So is anyone who tries to sing happy songs
to a sorrowful heart.
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him something to eat;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink,
22 For your kind treatment will be like heaping hot coals on his head,[b]
it may cause a change in heart,
and the Eternal will repay you.
Acts of kindness, especially when we know they are undeserved, awaken a slumbering conscience, stimulate sorrow, and perhaps even effect a change. They are the best ways to turn an enemy into a friend.
23 As surely as a north wind drives the rain before it,
a backbiting tongue brings angry looks.
24 It is better to dwell outside on the corner of your roof
than to live inside your house with a badgering wife.
25 Like cool water to a weary soul,
so is good news from a distant country.
26 Like a muddy spring or a polluted fountain,
so is a righteous person who gives in to the wicked.
27 Eating too much honey is not good for you,
nor is it good to seek one honor after another.
28 Like a conquered city with no walls,
so is a man who has no self-control.
Footnotes
- 25:20 Hebrew text is uncertain, literally “soda”; Greek, “wound.”
- 25:22 Romans 12:20
Proverbes 25
Segond 21
Proverbes de Salomon 25.1–29.27
Les relations
25 Voici encore des proverbes de Salomon rassemblés par l’entourage d'Ezéchias[a], le roi de Juda.
2 La gloire de Dieu, c'est de cacher les choses;
la gloire des rois, c'est d'examiner les choses.
3 Le ciel dans sa hauteur, la terre dans sa profondeur
et le cœur des rois sont impénétrables.
4 Retire les impuretés de l'argent
et le fondeur en sortira un vase.
5 Retire tout méchant de l’entourage du roi
et son trône s'affermira par la justice.
6 Ne fais pas l'important devant le roi,
ne prends pas la place des grands!
7 En effet, il vaut mieux qu'on te dise: «Monte ici!»
et qu’on n’ait pas à t’abaisser devant le prince, après que tes yeux l’ont vu.
8 Ne sois pas pressé de t'engager dans un procès,
de peur qu'à la fin tu ne saches que faire
lorsque ton prochain te confondra.
9 Défends ta cause contre ton prochain,
mais ne révèle pas le secret d'un autre!
10 En l'apprenant il te couvrirait de honte
et ta mauvaise réputation ne s'effacerait pas.
11 Des pommes en or décorées d'argent,
voilà ce que sont des paroles dites à propos.
12 Un anneau en or, un collier en or fin,
voilà ce qu’est le reproche d’un sage pour l’oreille qui sait écouter.
13 L’effet rafraîchissant de la neige un jour de moisson,
voilà l’effet d’un messager fidèle pour celui qui l'envoie:
il réconforte son maître.
14 Des nuages et du vent sans pluie,
voilà ce qu’est l’homme qui se vante à tort de sa générosité.
15 Par la patience on peut persuader un dirigeant
et une langue douce peut briser toute résistance.
16 Si tu trouves du miel, n'en mange pas trop!
Tu risquerais d’être saturé et de le vomir.
17 Mets rarement le pied chez ton prochain!
Il risquerait d’être saturé et de te détester.
18 Une massue, une épée ou une flèche aiguë,
voilà ce qu’est un homme qui porte un faux témoignage contre son prochain.
19 Une dent prête à se casser et un pied branlant,
voilà ce qu’est, le jour de la détresse, la confiance placée dans un traître.
20 Enlever un habit un jour de froid,
verser du vinaigre sur du salpêtre,
c'est entonner des chansons pour un cœur attristé.
21 *Si ton ennemi a faim, donne-lui à manger,
s'il a soif, donne-lui à boire,
22 car ce sont des charbons ardents que tu amasses sur sa tête[b]
et l'Eternel te récompensera.
23 Le vent du nord amène la pluie,
et la langue cachottière un visage irrité.
24 Mieux vaut habiter à l'angle d'un toit
que faire maison commune avec une femme querelleuse.
25 De l'eau fraîche pour une personne fatiguée,
voilà ce qu’est une bonne nouvelle venant d'une terre lointaine.
26 Une fontaine trouble, une source polluée,
voilà ce qu’est un juste qui tremble devant le méchant.
27 Il n'est pas bon de manger trop de miel,
mais rechercher la gloire des autres est un honneur.
28 Une ville démantelée, sans murailles,
voilà ce qu’est l'homme qui n'est pas maître de lui-même.
Footnotes
- Proverbes 25:1 Ezéchias: son règne est situé un peu plus de 2 siècles après celui de Salomon (voir la note 1.1).
- Proverbes 25:22 Si… tête: cité en Romains 12.20.
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
The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
Version Segond 21 Copyright © 2007 Société Biblique de Genève by Société Biblique de Genève
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
