Les Proverbes

Chapître 25

1

These [are] also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.⁵²

2

[It is] the glory of God to conceal⁵³ a thing: but the honour of kings [is] to search out² a matter.

3

The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings [is] unsearchable. ²⁷¹⁴

4

Take away² the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth⁴ a vessel for the finer.⁶

5

Take away² the wicked [from] before the king, and his throne shall be established¹¹ in righteousness.

6

Put not forth¹⁰¹ thyself in the presence of the king, and stand⁴ not in the place of great [men]:

7

For better [it is] that it be said² unto thee, Come up³ hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower⁵³ in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.¹

8

Go not forth⁴ hastily to strive,² lest [thou know not] what to do⁴ in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.⁵³

9

 Debate³ thy cause with thy neighbour [himself]; and discover¹⁷ not a secret to another:

10

Lest he that heareth⁶ [it] put thee to shame,¹⁷ and thine infamy turn not away.⁴

11

A word fitly ⁶⁵⁵ spoken⁷ [is like] apples of gold in pictures of silver.

12

[As] an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, [so is] a wise reprover⁵⁶ upon an obedient⁶ ear.

13

As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, [so is] a faithful¹² messenger to them that send⁶ him: for he refresheth⁵⁵ the soul of his masters.

14

 Whoso boasteth¹⁰² himself of a false gift [is like] clouds and wind without rain.

15

By long forbearing is a prince persuaded,²⁹ and a soft tongue breaketh⁴ the bone.

16

Hast thou found¹ honey? eat³ so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled⁴ therewith, and vomit⁵² it.

17

 Withdraw⁵⁴ thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary⁴ of thee, and [so] hate¹ thee.

18

A man that beareth⁶ false witness against his neighbour [is] a maul, and a sword, and a sharp⁶ arrow.

19

 Confidence in an unfaithful man⁶ in time of trouble [is like] a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.

20

[As] he that taketh away⁵⁶ a garment in cold weather, [and as] vinegar upon nitre, so [is] he that singeth⁶ songs to an heavy heart.

21

If thine enemy⁶ be hungry, give him bread to eat;⁵⁴ and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:⁵⁴

22

For thou shalt heap⁶ coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward¹⁷ thee.

23

The north wind driveth away³⁴ rain: so [doth] an angry¹² countenance a backbiting tongue.

24

[It is] better to dwell² in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling ⁴⁰⁶⁶ woman and in a wide house.

25

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

26

A righteous man falling down⁵ before the wicked [is as] a troubled¹² fountain, and a corrupt⁹⁴ spring.

27

[It is] not good to eat² much⁵³ honey: so [for men] to search their own glory [is not] glory.

28

 He that [hath] no rule over his own spirit [is like] a city [that is] broken down,⁷ [and] without walls.