Proverbs 25

gam-elleh mishle shelomoh asher hetiqu anshe khizqiyyah melekh-yehudah

These too are proverbs of Solomon, which the officials of King Hezekiah of Judah copied:

kevod elohim haster davar ukhevod melakhim khaqor davar

It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, And the glory of a king to plumb a matter.

shamayim larum va'arets la'omeq velev melakhim en kheqer

Like the heavens in their height, like the earth in its depth, Is the mind of kings—unfathomable.

hago sigim mikkasef vayyetse latsoref keli

The dross having been separated from the silver, A vessel emerged for the smith.

hago rasha lifne-melekh veyikkon batsedeq kiso

Remove the wicked from the king’s presence, And his throne will be established in justice.

al-tithaddar lifne-melekh uvimqom gedolim al-ta'amod

Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence; Do not stand in the place of nobles.

ki tov amor-lekha aleh-hennah mehashpilekha lifne nadiv asher ra'u enekha

For it is better to be told, “Step up here,” Than to be degraded in the presence of the great. Do not let what your eyes have seen

al-tetse lariv maher pen mah-tta'aseh be'akharitah behakhlim otekha re'ekha

Be vented rashly in a quarrel; Think of what it will effect in the end, When your fellow puts you to shame.

rivekha riv et-re'ekha vesod akher al-tegal

Defend your right against your fellow, But do not give away the secrets of another,

pen-yekhassedkha shomea vedibbatekha lo tashuv

Lest someone who hears it reproach you, And your bad repute never end.

tappukhe zahav bemaskiyyot kasef davar davur al-ofnayw

Like golden apples in silver showpieces Is a phrase well turned.

nezem zahav vakhali-khatem mokhiakh khakham al-ozen shoma'at

Like a ring of gold, a golden ornament, Is a wise person’s reproof in a receptive ear.

ketsinnat-sheleg beyom qatsir tsir ne'eman lesholekhayw venefesh adonayw yashiv

Like the coldness of snow at harvesttime Is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him; He lifts his master’s spirits.

nesi'im veruakh vegeshem ayin ish mithallel bemattat-shaqer

Like clouds, wind—but no rain— Is a man who boasts of gifts not given.

be'orekh appayim yefutteh qatsin velashon rakkah tishbor-garem

Through forbearance a ruler may be won over; A gentle tongue can break bones.

devash matsata ekhol dayyekka pen-tisba'ennu vahaqeto

If you find honey, eat only what you need, Lest, surfeiting yourself, you throw it up.

hoqar raglekha mibbet re'ekha pen-yisba'akha usene'ekha

Visit your neighbor sparingly, Lest he have his surfeit of you and loathe you.

mefits vekherev vekhets shanun ish oneh vere'ehu ed shaqer

Like a club, a sword, a sharpened arrow, Is a man who testifies falsely against his fellow.

shen ro'ah veregel mu'adet mivtakh boged beyom tsarah

Like a loose tooth and an unsteady leg, Is a treacherous support in time of trouble.

ma'adeh-bbeged beyom qarah khomets al-nater veshar bashirim al lev-ra

Disrobing on a chilly day, Like vinegar on natron, Is one who sings songs to a sorrowful soul.

im-ra'ev sona'akha ha'akhilehu lakhem ve'im-tsame hashqehu mayim

If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; If he is thirsty, give him water to drink.

ki gekhalim attah khoteh al-rosho va-Adonai yeshallem-lakh

You will be heaping live coals on his head, And GOD will reward you.

ruakh tsafon tekholel gashem ufanim nizamim leshon sater

A north wind produces rain, And whispered words, a glowering face.

tov shevet al-pinnat-gag me'eshet (mdvnym) [midyanim] uvet khaver

Dwelling in the corner of a roof is better Than a contentious woman in a spacious house.

mayim qarim al-nefesh ayefah ushemu'ah tovah me'erets merkhaq

Like cold water to a parched throat Is good news from a distant land.

mayan nirpas umaqor moshkhat tsaddiq mat lifne-rasha

Like a muddied spring, a ruined fountain, Are the righteous fallen before the wicked.

akhol devash harbot lo-tov vekheqer kevodam kavod

It is not good to eat much honey, Nor is it honorable to search for honor.

ir perutsah en khomah ish asher en matsar lerukho

Like an open city without walls Is a man whose temper is uncurbed.