Proverbs 25
1These are also mishlei Sh'lomo, 1 which the anashim of Chizkiyah Melech Yehudah 1 copied out: 1
2It is the Kavod Elohim to conceal a thing, 1 but the kavod melachim is to search out a matter. 1
3The Shomayim for height, and Eretz for depth, 1 so the lev melachim is unsearchable. 1
4Take away the dross from the kesef, 1 and there shall come forth a vessel for the tzoref (silversmith); 1
5Take away the rasha from before Melech, 1 and his kisse shall be established in tzedek. 1
6Do not exalt thyself in the presence of Melech, 1 and stand not in the makom (place) of gedolim; 1
7For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up here, 1 than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the noble 1 whom thine eynayim have seen. 1
8Go not forth hastily to bring a lawsuit, 1 lest thou know not what to do in the acharit thereof, 1 when thy re'a hath put thee to shame. 1
9Plead thy cause with thy re'a himself; 1 and betray not a sod (confidence) to another, 1
10Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, 1 and the evil report of thee never depart. 1
11A word aptly spoken is like 1 tapukhim (apples) of zahav in settings of kesef. 1
12As a nezem (earring) of zahav, and an ornament of fine gold, 1 so is a mochi'ach chacham (a wise reprover) upon an obedient ozen. 1
13As the cold of sheleg (snow) in the yom katzir (day of harvest), 1 so is a tzir ne'eman (faithful envoy) to them that send him; 1 for he refresheth the nefesh of his adonim. 1
14He who boasteth falsely of giving 1 is like clouds and ruach (wind) without geshem (rain). 1
15By forbearance is a katzin (ruler) persuaded, 1 and a gentle lashon breaketh the bone. 1
16Hast thou found devash? Eat only as much as is sufficient for thee, 1 lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it out. 1
17Let thy regel (foot) seldom be in thy neighborʼs bais; 1 lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee. 1
18An ish that beareth ed sheker (false witness) against his re'a 1 is a club, and a cherev, and a sharp khetz (arrow). 1
19Confidence in a boged in the yom tzarah 1 is like a shen ra'ah (bad tooth), and a regel out of joint. 1
20As he that taketh away a beged (garment) on a cold day, 1 and as chometz (vinegar) upon lye, 1 so is he that singeth shirim (songs) 1 to a lev rah (heavy heart). + 25:20 i.e., depressed person 1
21If thine enemy be hungry, give him lechem to eat, 1 and if he be thirsty, give him mayim to drink; 1
22For so shalt thou heap hot coals upon his rosh, 1 and Hashem shall reward thee. 1
23The ruach tzafon (north wind) brings forth geshem; 1 so doth a lashon seter (backbiting tongue) bring an angry countenance. 1
24It is better to dwell in the corner of the gag (roof), 1 than in a bais shared with a quarrelsome isha. 1
25As cold mayim to a weary nefesh, 1 so is good news from a far country. 1
26A tzaddik who falters before the rasha is like a muddy spring, 1 and a polluted makor (fountain). 1
27It is not tov to eat much devash; 1 so for men to seek their own kavod is not glory. 1
28He that hath no rule over his own ruach 1 is like an ir that is broken down, and without a chomah (wall).