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Chapter 25

AlexandrinusVaticanus

Similitudes, Instructions

1 These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.

25:1 Αὗται αἱ παιδεῖαι Σαλωμῶντος αἱ ἀδιάκριτοι, ἃς ἐξεγράψαντο οἱ φίλοι Ἐζεκίου τοῦ βασιλέως τῆς Ἰουδαίας. 25:1 Αὗται αἱ παιδεῖαι Σολομῶντος αἱ ἀδιάκριτοι, ἃς ἐξεγράψαντο οἱ φίλοι Ἐζεκίου τοῦ βασιλέως τῆς Ἰουδαίας.
25:1 These are the miscellaneous instructions of Solomon, which the friends of Ezekias king of Judea copied out. 25:1 These are the miscellaneous instructions of Solomon, which the friends of Ezekias king of Judea copied out.

2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing; but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.

25:2 Δόξα θεοῦ κρύπτει λόγον, δόξα δὲ βασιλέως τιμᾷ πράγματα. 25:2 Δόξα Θεοῦ κρύπτει λόγον, δόξα δὲ βασιλέως τιμᾷ πράγματα.
25:2 The glory of God conceals a matter; but the glory of a king honours business. 25:2 The glory of God conceals a matter; but the glory of a king honours business.

3 The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.

25:3 οὐρανὸς ὑψηλός, γῆ δὲ βαθεῖα, καρδία δὲ βασιλέως ἀνεξέλεγκτος. 25:3 οὐρανὸς ὑψηλός, γῆ δὲ βαθεῖα, καρδία δὲ βασιλέως ἀνεξέλεγκτος.
25:3 Heaven is high, and earth is deep, and a king's heart is unsearchable. 25:3 Heaven is high, and earth is deep, and a king's heart is unsearchable.

4 Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.

25:4 τύπτε ἀδόκιμον ἀργύριον, καὶ καθαρισθήσεται καθαρὸν ἅπαν· 25:4 τύπτε ἀδόκιμον ἀργύριον, καὶ καθαρισθήσεται καθαρὸν ἅπαν·
25:4 Beat the drossy silver, and it shall be made entirely pure. 25:4 Beat the drossy silver, and it shall be made entirely pure.

5 Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.

25:5 κτεῖνε ἀσεβεῖς ἐκ προσώπου βασιλέως, καὶ κατορθώσει ἐν δικαιοσύνῃ ὁ θρόνος αὐτοῦ. 25:5 κτεῖνε ἀσεβεῖς ἐκ προσώπου βασιλέως, καὶ κατορθώσει ἐν δικαιοσύνῃ ὁ θρόνος αὐτοῦ.
25:5 Slay the ungodly from before the king, and his throne shall prosper in righteousness. 25:5 Slay the ungodly from before the king, and his throne shall prosper in righteousness.

6 Don't put forth yourself in the presence of the king, and don't stand in the place of great men.

25:6 Μὴ ἀλαζονεύου ἐνώπιον βασιλέως μηδὲ ἐν τόποις δυναστῶν ὑφίστασο· 25:6 μὴ ἀλαζονεύου ἐνώπιον βασιλέως, μηδὲ ἐν τόποις δυναστῶν ὑφίστασο·
25:6 Don't be boastful in the presence of the king, and don't remain in the places of princes; 25:6 Don't be boastful in the presence of the king, and don't remain in the places of princes;

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.

25:7 κρεῖσσον γάρ σοί τὸ ῥηθῆναι, ἀνάβαινε πρός με, ἢ ταπεινῶσαί σὲ ἐν προσώπῳ δυνάστου.
ἃ εἶδον οἱ ὀφθαλμοί σου, λέγε. 		25:7 κρεῖσσον γάρ σοι τὸ ῥηθῆναι·
ἀνάβαινε πρός με ἢ ταπεινῶσαί σε ἐν προσώπῳ δυνάστου.
ἃ εἶδον οἱ ὀφθαλμοί σου, λέγε.
25:7 for it is better for you to whom it should be said, Come up to me, than that one should humble you in the presence of the prince; speak of what your eyes have seen. 25:7 for it is better for you to whom it should be said, Come up to me, than that one should humble you in the presence of the prince; speak of what your eyes have seen.

8 Don't go forth hastily to quarrel, lest you don't know what to do in the end of it, when your neighbour has put you to shame.

25:8 Μὴ πρόσπιπτε εἰς μάχην ταχέως, ἵνα μὴ μεταμεληθῇς ἐπ' ἐσχάτων. 25:8 μὴ πρόσπιπτε εἰς μάχην ταχέως, ἵνα μὴ μεταμεληθῇς ἐπ' ἐσχάτων.
ἡνίκα ἄν σε ὀνειδίσῃ ὁ σὸς φίλος,
25:8 Don't get suddenly into a quarrel, lest you repent at last. 25:8 Don't get suddenly into a quarrel, lest you repent at last. When your friend reproaches you,

9 Debate your cause with your neighbour himself; and don't reveal a secret to another.

25:9 ἡνίκα ἄν σὲ ὀνειδίσῃ ὁ σὸς φίλος, ἀναχώρει εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω, μὴ καταφρόνει, 25:9 ἀναχώρει εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω μὴ καταφρόνει,
25:9 When your friend reproaches you, retreat backward, don't despise him; 25:9 retreat backward, don't despise him;

10 Lest he who hears it put you to shame, and your infamy turn not away.

25:10 μή σὲ ὀνειδίσῃ μὲν ὁ φίλος, ἡ δὲ μάχη σου καὶ ἡ ἔχθρα οὐκ ἀπέσται, ἀλλ' ἔσται σοί ἴση θανάτῳ. 25:10 μή σε ὀνειδίσῃ μὲν ὁ φίλος, ἡ δὲ μάχη σου καὶ ἡ ἔχθρα οὐκ ἀπέσται, ἀλλὰ ἔσται σοι ἴση θανάτῳ.
25:10 lest your friend continue to reproach you, so your quarrel and enmity shall not depart, but shall be to you like death. 25:10 lest your friend continue to reproach you, so your quarrel and enmity shall not depart, but shall be to you like death.

10a N/A

25:10a χάρις καὶ φιλία ἐλευθεροῖ, ἃς τήρησον σεαυτῷ, ἵνα μὴ ἐπονείδιστος γένῃ, ἀλλὰ φύλαξον τὰς ὁδούς σου εὐσυναλλάκτως. 25:10a χάρις καὶ φιλία ἐλευθεροῖ, ἃς τήρησον σεαυτῷ, ἵνα μὴ ἐπονείδιστος γένῃ, ἀλλὰ φύλαξον τὰς ὁδούς σου εὐσυναλλάκτως.
25:10a Favour and friendship set a man free, which do you keep for yourself, lest you be made liable to reproach; but take heed to your ways peaceably. 25:10a Favour and friendship set a man free, which do you keep for yourself, lest you be made liable to reproach; but take heed to your ways peaceably.

11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.

25:11 Μῆλον χρυσοῦν ἐν ὁρμίσκῳ σαρδίου, οὕτως εἰπεῖν λόγον. 25:11 μῆλον χρυσοῦν ἐν ὁρμίσκῳ σαρδίου, οὕτως εἰπεῖν λόγον.
25:11 As a golden apple in a necklace of sardius, so is it to speak a wise word. 25:11 As a golden apple in a necklace of sardius, so is it to speak a wise word.

12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover on an obedient ear.

25:12 εἰς ἐνώτιον χρυσοῦν σάρδιον πολυτελὲς δέδεται, λόγος σοφὸς εἰς εὐήκοον οὖς. 25:12 εἰς ἐνώτιον χρυσοῦν καὶ σάρδιον πολυτελὲς δέδεται, λόγος σοφὸς εἰς εὐήκοον οὖς.
25:12 In an earring of gold a precious sardius is also set; so is a wise word to an obedient ear. 25:12 In an earring of gold a precious sardius is also set; so is a wise word 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.

25:13 ὥσπερ ἔξοδος χιόνος ἐν ἀμήτῳ κατὰ καῦμα ὠφελεῖ, οὕτως ἄγγελος πιστὸς τοὺς ἀποστείλαντας αὐτόν·
ψυχὰς γὰρ τῶν αὐτῷ χρωμένων ὠφελεῖ. 		25:13 ὥσπερ ἔξοδος χιόνος ἐν ἀμήτῳ κατὰ καῦμα ὠφελεῖ, οὕτως ἄγγελος πιστὸς τοὺς ἀποστείλαντας αὐτόν·
ψυχὰς γὰρ τῶν αὐτῷ χρωμένων ὠφελεῖ.
25:13 As a fall of snow in the time of harvest is good against heat, so a faithful messenger refreshes those who send him; for he helps the souls of his employers. 25:13 As a fall of snow in the time of harvest is good against heat, so a faithful messenger refreshes those who send him; for he helps the souls of his employers.

14 Whoever boasts himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.

25:14 Ὥσπερ ἄνεμοι καὶ νέφη καὶ ὑετοὶ ἐπιφανέστατοι, οὕτως οἱ καυχώμενοι ἐπὶ δόσει ψεύδει. 25:14 ὥσπερ ἄνεμοι καὶ νέφη καὶ ὑετοὶ ἐπιφανέστατα, οὕτως ὁ καυχώμενος ἐπὶ δόσει ψευδεῖ.
25:14 As winds and clouds and rains are most evident objects, so is he who boasts of a false gift. 25:14 As winds and clouds and rains are most evident objects, so is he who boasts of a false gift.

15 By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaks the bone.

25:15 ἐν μακροθυμίᾳ εὐοδία βασιλεῦσιν, γλῶσσα δὲ μαλακὴ συντρίβει ὀστᾶ. 25:15 ἐν μακροθυμίᾳ εὐοδία βασιλεῦσι, γλῶσσα δὲ μαλακὴ συντρίβει ὀστᾶ.
25:15 In long-suffering is prosperity to kings, and a soft tongue breaks the bones. 25:15 In long-suffering is prosperity to kings, and a soft tongue breaks the bones.

16 Have you found honey? Eat so much as is sufficient for you, lest you be filled with it, and vomit it.

25:16 μέλι εὑρὼν φάγε τὸ ἱκανόν, μήποτε πλησθεὶς ἐξεμέσῃς. 25:16 μέλι εὑρὼν φάγε τὸ ἱκανόν, μήποτε πλησθεὶς ἐξεμέσῃς.
25:16 Having found honey, eat only what is enough, lest perhaps you be filled, and vomit it up. 25:16 Having found honey, eat only what is enough, lest perhaps you be filled, and vomit it up.

17 Withdraw your foot from your neighbour's house; lest he be weary of you, and so hate you.

25:17 σπάνιον εἴσαγε σὸν πόδα πρὸς τὸν σεαυτοῦ φίλον, μήποτε πλησθείς σου μισήσῃ σε. 25:17 σπάνιον εἴσαγε σὸν πόδα πρὸς σεαυτοῦ φίλον, μήποτε πλησθείς σου μισήσῃ σε.
25:17 Enter sparingly into your friend's house, lest he be satiated with your company, and hate you. 25:17 Enter sparingly into your friend's house, lest he be satiated with your company, and hate you.

18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.

25:18 ῥόπαλον καὶ μάχαιρα καὶ τόξευμα ἀκιδωτόν, οὕτως καὶ ἀνὴρ ὁ καταμαρτυρῶν τοῦ φίλου αὐτοῦ μαρτυρίαν ψευδῆ. 25:18 ῥόπαλον καὶ μάχαιρα καὶ τόξευμα ἀκιδωτόν, οὕτως καὶ ἀνὴρ ὁ καταμαρτυρῶν τοῦ φίλου αὐτοῦ μαρτυρίαν ψευδῆ.
25:18 As a club, and a dagger, and a pointed arrow, so also is a man who bears false witness against his friend. 25:18 As a club, and a dagger, and a pointed arrow, so also is a man who bears false witness against his friend.

19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.

25:19 ὁδοὺς κακοῦ καὶ ποὺς παρανόμου ὀλεῖται ἐν ἡμέρᾳ κακῇ. 25:19 ὁδὸς κακοῦ καὶ ποὺς παρανόμου ὀλεῖται ἐν ἡμέρᾳ κακῇ.
25:19 The way of the wicked and the foot of the transgressor shall perish in an evil day. 25:19 The way of the wicked and the foot of the transgressor shall perish in an evil day.

20 As he who takes away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar on nitre, so is he who sings songs to a heavy heart.

25:20 Ὥσπερ ὄξος ἕλκει ἀσύμφορον, οὕτως προσπεσὸν πάθος ἐν σώματι καρδίαν λυπεῖ. 25:20 ὥσπερ ὄξος ἕλκει ἀσύμφορον, οὕτως προσπεσὸν πάθος ἐν σώματι καρδίαν λυπεῖ.
25:20 As vinegar is bad for a sore, so trouble befalling the body afflicts the heart. 25:20 As vinegar is bad for a sore, so trouble befalling the body afflicts the heart.

20a N/A

25:20a ὥσπερ σὴς ἱματίῳ καὶ σκώληξ ξύλῳ, οὕτως λύπη ἀνδρὸς βλάπτει καρδίαν. 25:20a ὥσπερ σὴς ἐν ἱματίῳ καὶ σκώληξ ξύλῳ, οὕτως λύπη ἀνδρὸς βλάπτει καρδίαν.
25:20a As a moth in a garment, and a worm in wood, so the grief of a man hurts the heart. 25:20a As a moth in a garment, and a worm in wood, so the grief of a man hurts the heart.

21 If your enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink.

25:21 Ἐὰν πεινᾷ ὁ ἐχθρός σου, τρέφε αὐτόν, ἐὰν διψᾷ, πότιζε αὐτόν· 25:21 ἐὰν πεινᾷ ὁ ἐχθρός σου, ψώμιζε αὐτόν, ἐὰν διψᾷ, πότιζε αὐτόν·
25:21 If your enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink; 25:21 If your enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink;

22 For you shall heap coals of fire on his head, and Yahweh shall reward you.

25:22 τοῦτο γὰρ ποιῶν ἄνθρακας πυρὸς σωρεύσεις ἐπὶ τὴν κεφαλὴν αὐτοῦ, ὁ δὲ κύριος ἀνταποδώσει σοί ἀγαθά. 25:22 τοῦτο γὰρ ποιῶν ἄνθρακας πυρὸς σωρεύσεις ἐπὶ τὴν κεφαλὴν αὐτοῦ, ὁ δὲ Κύριος ἀνταποδώσει σοι ἀγαθά.
25:22 for so doing you shall heap coals of fire on his head, and the Lord shall reward you with good. 25:22 for so doing you shall heap coals of fire on his head, and the Lord shall reward you with good.

23 The north wind drives away rain; so does an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.

25:23 ἄνεμος βορέας ἐξεγείρει νέφη, πρόσωπον δὲ ἀναιδὲς γλῶσσαν ἐρεθίζει. 25:23 ἄνεμος Βορέας ἐξεγείρει νέφη, πρόσωπον δὲ ἀναιδὲς γλῶσσαν ἐρεθίζει.
25:23 The north wind raises clouds; so an impudent face provokes the tongue. 25:23 The north wind raises clouds; so an impudent face provokes the tongue.

24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.

25:24 κρεῖττον οἰκεῖν ἐπὶ γωνίας δώματος ἢ μετὰ γυναικὸς λοιδόρου ἐν οἰκίᾳ κοινῇ. 25:24 κρεῖσσον οἰκεῖν ἐπὶ γωνίας δώματος ἢ μετὰ γυναικὸς λοιδόρου ἐν οἰκίᾳ κοινῇ.
25:24 It is better to dwell in a corner of the upper room,1 than with a complaining2 wife in an shared3 house. 25:24 It is better to dwell in a corner of the upper room,1 than with a complaining2 wife in an shared3 house.
1lit., roof, but refers not to the exterior top of the house, but in the top story of a house
2or "abusive" or "insulting" wife
3i.e., shared with a spouse

25 As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.

25:25 ὥσπερ ὕδωρ ψυχρὸν ψυχῇ διψώσῃ προσηνές, οὕτως ἀγγελία ἀγαθὴ ἐκ γῆς μακρόθεν. 25:25 ὥσπερ ὕδωρ ψυχρὸν ψυχῇ διψώσῃ προσηνές, οὕτως ἀγγελία ἀγαθὴ ἐκ γῆς μακροθυμεῖ.
25:25 As cold water is agreeable to a thirsting soul, so is a good message from a land far off. 25:25 As cold water is agreeable to a thirsting soul, so is a good message from a land far off.

26 A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.

25:26 ὥσπερ εἴ τις πηγὴν φράσσοι καὶ ὕδατος ἔξοδον λυμαίνοιτο οὕτως ἄκοσμον δίκαιον πεπτωκέναι πεπτωκέναι ἐνώπιον ἀσεβοῦς. 25:26 ὥσπερ εἴ τις πηγὴ φράσσοι καὶ ὕδατος ἔξοδον λυμαίνοιτο, οὕτως ἄκοσμον δίκαιον πεπτωκέναι ἐνώπιον ἀσεβοῦς.
25:26 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. 25:26 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; so for men to search their own glory is not glory.

25:27 ἐσθίειν μέλι πολὺ οὐ καλόν, τιμᾶν δὲ χρὴ λόγους ἐνδόξους. 25:27 ἐσθίειν μέλι πολὺ οὐ καλόν, τιμᾶ δὲ χρὴ λόγους ἐνδόξους.
25:27 It is not good to eat much honey; but it is right to honour venerable sayings. 25:27 It is not good to eat much honey; but it is right to honour venerable sayings.

28 He who has no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.

25:28 ὥσπερ πόλις τὰ τείχη καταβεβλημένη καὶ ἀτείχιστος, οὕτως ἀνὴρ ὃς οὐ μετὰ βουλῆς τι πράσσει. 25:28 ὥσπερ πόλις τὰ τείχει καταβεβλημένη καὶ ἀτείχιστος, οὕτως ἀνὴρ ὃς οὐ μετὰ βουλῆς τι πράσσει.
25:28 As a city whose walls are broken down, and which is unfortified, so is a man who does anything without counsel. 25:28 As a city whose walls are broken down, and which is unfortified, so is a man who does anything without counsel.