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Proverbs Chapter 25

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darby (darby) - eBible.org Darby 1890 plaintext

1 These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah transcribed.
2 It is the glory ofGod to conceal a thing; but the glory of kings is to search out a thing.
3 The heavens for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4 Take away the dross from the silver, and there cometh forth a vessel for the refiner:
5 take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
6 Put not thyself forward in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of the great;
7 for better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither, than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes see.
8 Go not forth hastily to strive, lest [thou know not] what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.
9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbour, but reveal not the secret of another;
10 lest he that heareth [it] disgrace thee, and thine evil report turn not away.
11 [As] apples of gold in pictures of silver, is a word spoken in season.
12 An ear-ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, is a wise reprover upon an attentive ear.
13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, [so] is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.
14 Clouds and wind without rain, [so] is a man that boasteth himself of a false gift.
15 By long forbearing is a ruler persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
16 Hast thou found honey? Eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be surfeited therewith, and vomit it.
17 Let thy foot be seldom in thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee and hate thee.
18 A maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow, is a man that beareth false witness against his neighbour.
19 A broken tooth, and a tottering foot, is confidence in an unfaithful [man] in the day of trouble.
20 [As] he that taketh off a garment in cold weather, [and as] vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to a sad heart.
21 If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
22 for thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and Jehovah shall reward thee.
23 The north wind bringeth forth rain, and the angry countenance a backbiting tongue.
24 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a contentious woman, and a house in common.
25 [As] cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
26 A troubled fountain, and a defiled well, is a righteous [man] that giveth way before the wicked.
27 It is not good to eat much honey; and to search into weighty matters is [itself] a weight.
28 He that hath no rule over his own spirit is [as] a city broken down, without walls.

lxxbrent (lxxbrent) - Septuagint (Brenton 1851) eBible USFM

1 These are the miscellaneous instructions of Solomon, which the friends of Ezekias king of Judea copied out.
2 The glory of God conceals a matter: but the glory of a king honours business.
3 Heaven is high, and earth is deep, and a king's heart is unsearchable.
4 Beat the drossy silver, and it shall be made entirely pure.
5 Slay the ungodly from before the king, and his throne shall prosper in righteousness.
6 Be not boastful in the presence of the king, and remain not in the places of princes;
7 for [it is] better for thee that it should be said, Come up to me, than that [one] should humble thee in the presence of the prince; speak of that which thine eyes have seen.
8 Get not suddenly into a quarrel, lest thou repent at last.
9 Whenever thy friend shall reproach thee, retreat backward, despise [him] not;
10 lest thy friend continue to reproach thee, so thy quarrel and enmity shall not depart, but shall be to thee like death.
11 [As] a golden apple in a necklace of sardius, so [is it] to speak a [wise] word.
12 In an ear-ring of gold a precious sardius is also set; [so is] a wise word to an obedient ear.
13 As a fall of snow in the time of harvest is good against heat, so a faithful messenger [refreshes] those that send him; for he helps the souls of his employers.
14 As winds and clouds and rains are most evident [objects], so is he that boasts of a false gift.
15 In long-suffering is prosperity to kings, and a soft tongue breaks the bones.
16 Having found honey, eat [only] what is enough, lest haply thou be filled, and vomit it up.
17 Enter sparingly into thy friend's house, lest he be satiated with thy company, and hate thee.
18 [As] a club, and a dagger, and a pointed arrow, so also is a man who bears false witness against his friend.
19 The way of the wicked and the foot of the transgressor shall perish in an evil day.
20 As vinegar is bad for a sore, so trouble befalling the body afflicts the heart.
21 If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink;
22 for so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee [with] good.
23 The north wind raises clouds; so an impudent face provokes the tongue.
24 [It is] better to dwell on a corner of the roof, than with a railing woman in an open house.
25 As cold water is agreeable to a thirsting soul, so is a good message from a land far off.
26 As if one should stop a well, and corrupt a spring of water, so [is it] unseemly for a righteous man to fall before an ungodly man.
27 [It is] not good to eat much honey; but it is right to honour venerable sayings.
28 As a city whose walls are broken down, and which is unfortified, so is a man who does anything without counsel.

vul1914 (vul1914) - Vulgate 1914 UTF-8 (sacredbible.org)

1 Hæ quoque parabolæ Salomonis, quas transtulerunt viri Ezechiæ regis Iuda.
2 Gloria Dei est celare verbum, et gloria regum investigare sermonem.
3 Cælum sursum, et terra deorsum, et cor regum inscrutabile.
4 Aufer rubiginem de argento, et egredietur vas purissimum:
5 Aufer impietatem de vultu regis, et firmabitur iustitia thronus eius.
6 Ne gloriosus appareas coram rege, et in loco magnorum ne steteris.
7 Melius est enim ut dicatur tibi: Ascende huc; quam ut humilieris coram principe.
8 Quæ viderunt oculi tui, ne proferas in iurgio cito: ne postea emendare non possis, cum dehonestaveris amicum tuum.
9 Causam tuam tracta cum amico tuo, et secretum extraneo ne reveles:
10 ne forte insultet tibi cum audierit, et exprobrare non cesset. Gratia et amicitia liberant: quas tibi serva, ne exprobrabilis fias.
11 Mala aurea in lectis argenteis, qui loquitur verbum in tempore suo.
12 Inauris aurea, et margaritum fulgens, qui arguit sapientem, et aurem obedientem.
13 Sicut frigus nivis in die messis, ita legatus fidelis ei, qui misit eum, animam ipsius requiescere facit.
14 Nubes, et ventus, et pluviæ non sequentes, vir gloriosus, et promissa non complens.
15 Patientia lenietur princeps, et lingua mollis confringet duritiam.
16 Mel invenisti, comede quod sufficit tibi, ne forte satiatus evomas illud.
17 Subtrahe pedem tuum de domo proximi tui, nequando satiatus oderit te.
18 Iaculum, et gladius, et sagitta acuta, homo qui loquitur contra proximum suum falsum testimonium.
19 Dens putridus, et pes lassus, qui sperat super infideli in die angustiæ,
20 et amittit pallium in die frigoris. Acetum in nitro, qui cantat carmina cordi pessimo. Sicut tinea vestimento, et vermis ligno: ita tristitia viri nocet cordi.
21 Si esurierit inimicus tuus, ciba illum: si sitierit, da ei aquam bibere:
22 prunas enim congregabis super caput eius, et Dominus reddet tibi.
23 Ventus aquilo dissipat pluvias, et facies tristis linguam detrahentem.
24 Melius est sedere in angulo domatis, quam cum muliere litigiosa, et in domo communi.
25 Aqua frigida animæ sitienti, et nuncius bonus de terra longinqua.
26 Fons turbatus pede, et vena corrupta, iustus cadens coram impio.
27 Sicut qui mel multum comedit, non est ei bonum: sic qui scrutator est maiestatis, opprimetur a gloria.
28 Sicut urbs patens et absque murorum ambitu, ita vir, qui non potest in loquendo cohibere spiritum suum.

web (web) - WorldEnglish.Bible — CC0 modern update of ASV

1 These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
4 Take away the dross from the silver, and material comes out for the refiner.
5 Take away the wicked from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness.
6 Don’t exalt yourself in the presence of the king, or claim a place among great men;
7 for it is better that it be said to you, “Come up here,” than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince, whom your eyes have seen.
8 Don’t be hasty in bringing charges to court. What will you do in the end when your neighbor shames you?
9 Debate your case with your neighbor, and don’t betray the confidence of another,
10 lest one who hears it put you to shame, and your bad reputation never depart.
11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover to an obedient ear.
13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to those who send him; for he refreshes the soul of his masters.
14 As clouds and wind without rain, so is he who boasts of gifts deceptively.
15 By patience a ruler is persuaded. A soft tongue breaks the bone.
16 Have you found honey? Eat as much as is sufficient for you, lest you eat too much, and vomit it.
17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house, lest he be weary of you, and hate you.
18 A man who gives false testimony against his neighbor is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.
19 Confidence in someone unfaithful in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a lame foot.
20 As one who takes away a garment in cold weather, or vinegar on soda, so 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 for you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the LORD will reward you.
23 The north wind produces rain; so a backbiting tongue brings an angry face.
24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than to share a house with a contentious woman.
25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
26 Like a muddied spring and a polluted well, so is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
27 It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it honorable to seek one’s own honor.
28 Like a city that is broken down and without walls is a man whose spirit is without restraint.

ylt (ylt) - Bible.com YLT98 plain UTF-8

1 Also these are Proverbs of Solomon, that men of Hezekiah king of Judah transcribed: --
2 The honour of God <FI>is<Fi> to hide a thing, And the honour of kings to search out a matter.
3 The heavens for height, and the earth for depth, And the heart of kings--<FI> are<Fi> unsearchable.
4 Take away dross from silver, And a vessel for the refiner goeth forth,
5 Take away the wicked before a king, And established in righteousness is his throne.
6 Honour not thyself before a king, And in the place of the great stand not.
7 For better <FI>that<Fi> he hath said to thee, `Come thou up hither,' Than <FI>that<Fi> he humble thee before a noble, Whom thine eyes have seen.
8 Go not forth to strive, haste, turn, What dost thou in its latter end, When thy neighbour causeth thee to blush?
9 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, <FI>Is<Fi> the word spoken at its fit times.
12 A ring of gold, and an ornament of pure gold, <FI>Is<Fi> the wise reprover to an attentive ear.
13 As a vessel of snow in a day of harvest, <FI>So is<Fi> a faithful ambassador to those sending him, And the soul of his masters he refresheth.
14 Clouds and wind, and rain there is none, <FI>Is<Fi> 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 <FI>with<Fi> it, and hast vomited it.
17 Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house, Lest he be satiated <FI>with<Fi> thee, and have hated thee.
18 A maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow, <FI>Is<Fi> the man testifying against his neighbour a false testimony.
19 A bad tooth, and a tottering foot, <FI>Is<Fi> the confidence of the treacherous in a day of adversity.
20 Whoso is taking away a garment in a cold day, <FI>Is as<Fi> 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 <FI>with<Fi> a woman of contentions, and a house of company.
25 <FI> As<Fi> cold waters for a weary soul, So <FI>is<Fi> a good report from a far country.
26 A spring troubled, and a fountain corrupt, <FI>Is<Fi> 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, <FI>Is<Fi> a man without restraint over his spirit!

Explanations by Age Level

Explain Like I'm 5

A long, long time ago, there was nothing at all - no earth, no sky, no animals, no people. It was all dark and empty. But God was there! God is so powerful that He can make anything just by speaking. So God said "Let there be light!" and BOOM! There was light everywhere! God saw that the light was beautiful and good. He called the light "day" and the darkness "night." This was the very first day when God started making our wonderful world!

Explain Like I'm 10

Before anything existed - no planets, stars, or life - God decided to create the universe. The earth started out as a dark, empty place covered with water. But God's Spirit was there, ready to bring order and beauty to everything. When God spoke and said "Let there be light," light immediately appeared because God's words have incredible power. God looked at the light and was pleased with what He had made. He organized time by separating light (day) from darkness (night), creating the first 24-hour period. This shows us that God is organized and purposeful in everything He does.

Explain Like I'm 15

Genesis 1:1-5 establishes fundamental theological truths about God and creation. The Hebrew word "bara" (created) indicates creation from nothing (ex nihilo), demonstrating God's absolute sovereignty and power. The phrase "without form and void" (tohu wa-bohu) describes a state of chaos that God transforms into order. The Spirit of God "hovering" or "brooding" over the waters suggests active, caring involvement in creation. The creation of light before the sun (created on day 4) indicates that God Himself is the ultimate source of light and energy. The establishment of day and night creates the framework of time, showing that God operates within orderly patterns while transcending them. This passage refutes both atheistic materialism and pantheism, establishing that God is both transcendent (separate from creation) and immanent (actively involved in it).