Mishle 25

1These are also mishlei Sh'lomo, which the anashim of Chizkiyah Melech Yehudah copied out:

2It is the Kavod Elohim to conceal a thing, but the kavod melachim is to search out a matter.

3The Shomayim for height, and Eretz for depth, so the lev melachim is unsearchable.

4Take away the dross from the kesef, and there shall come forth a vessel for the tzoref (silversmith);

5Take away the rasha from before Melech, and his kisse shall be established in tzedek.

6Do not exalt thyself in the presence of Melech, and stand not in the makom (place) of gedolim;

7For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up here, than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the noble whom thine eynayim have seen.

8Go not forth hastily to bring a lawsuit, lest thou know not what to do in the acharit thereof, when thy re'a hath put thee to shame.

9Plead thy cause with thy re'a himself; and betray not a sod (confidence) to another,

10Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and the evil report of thee never depart.

11A word aptly spoken is like tapukhim (apples) of zahav in settings of kesef.

12As a nezem (earring) of zahav, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a mochi'ach chacham (a wise reprover) upon an obedient ozen.

13As the cold of sheleg (snow) in the yom katzir (day of harvest), so is a tzir ne'eman (faithful envoy) to them that send him; for he refresheth the nefesh of his adonim.

14He who boasteth falsely of giving is like clouds and ruach (wind) without geshem (rain).

15By forbearance is a katzin (ruler) persuaded, and a gentle lashon breaketh the bone.

16Hast thou found devash? Eat only as much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it out.

17Let thy regel (foot) seldom be in thy neighbor's bais; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.

18An ish that beareth ed sheker (false witness) against his re'a is a club, and a cherev, and a sharp khetz (arrow).

19Confidence in a boged in the yom tzarah is like a shen ra'ah (bad tooth), and a regel out of joint.

20As he that taketh away a beged (garment) on a cold day, and as chometz (vinegar) upon lye, so is he that singeth shirim (songs) to a lev rah (heavy heart, T.N. i.e., depressed person).

21If thine enemy be hungry, give him lechem to eat, and if he be thirsty, give him mayim to drink;

22For so shalt thou heap hot coals upon his rosh, and Hashem shall reward thee.

23The ruach tzafon (north wind) brings forth geshem; so doth a lashon seter (backbiting tongue) bring an angry countenance.

24It is better to dwell in the corner of the gag (roof), than in a bais shared with a quarrelsome isha.

25As cold mayim to a weary nefesh, so is good news from a far country.

26A tzaddik who falters before the rasha is like a muddy spring, and a polluted makor (fountain).

27It is not tov to eat much devash; so for men to seek their own kavod is not glory.

28He that hath no rule over his own ruach is like an ir that is broken down, and without a chomah (wall).