Sayings Copied for Ezekias

Proverbs 25

This chapter opens by noting that these are further instructions of Solomon, copied out by the men of Ezekias king of Judea. The sayings that follow address restraint before a king, the value of a timely word, kindness even to an enemy, and the wisdom of moderation in friendship and speech.

About these editions

The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.

Thomson 1808Septuagint

Brenton 1851Septuagint

Greek · BrentonSeptuagint

KJV 1769Masoretic

JPS 1917Masoretic

ThomsonTHESE are the detached instructions of Solomon which the friends of Hezekias king of Judea copied out:

BrentonThese are the miscellaneous instructions of Solomon, which the friends of Ezekias king of Judea copied out.

GreekΑὗται αἱ παιδεῖαι Σαλωμῶντος αἱ ἀδιάκριτοι, ἃς ἐξεγράψαντο οἱ φίλοι Ἐζεκίου τοῦ βασιλέως τῆς Ἰουδαίας.

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

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

ThomsonThe glory of God obscureth a matter: but the glory of a king giveth a lustre to actions.

BrentonThe glory of God conceals a matter: but the glory of a king honours business.

GreekΔόξα Θεοῦ κρύπτει λόγον, δόξα δὲ βασιλέως τιμᾷ πράγματα.

KJVIt is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.

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

ThomsonHeaven is high and the earth is deep: and the heart of a king is unsearchable.

BrentonHeaven is high, and earth is deep, and a king's heart is unsearchable.

GreekΟὐρανὸς ὑψηλὸς, γῆ δὲ βαθεῖα, καρδία δὲ βασιλέως ἀνεξέλεγκτος.

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

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

ThomsonBeat drossy silver, and all that is pure will be purified.

BrentonBeat the drossy silver, and it shall be made entirely pure.

GreekΤύπτε ἀδόκιμον ἀργύριον, καὶ καθαρισθήσεται καθαρὸν ἅπαν.

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonHave the ungodly around a king slain and his throne will prosper in righteousness.

BrentonSlay the ungodly from before the king, and his throne shall prosper in righteousness.

GreekΚτεῖνε ἀσεβεῖς ἐκ προσώπου βασιλέως, καὶ κατορθώσει ἐν δικαιοσύνῃ ὁ θρόνος αὐτοῦ.

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

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

ThomsonBoast not in the presence of a king; nor range thyself in the places of princes:

BrentonBe not boastful in the presence of the king, and remain not in the places of princes;

GreekΜὴ ἀλαζονεύου ἐνώπιον βασιλέως, μηδὲ ἐν τόποις δυναστῶν ὑφίστασο·

KJVPut not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men:

JPSGlorify not thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men;

ThomsonFor it is better it should be said to thee, Come up hither, than that thou shouldst give place at the presence of a prince. Speak [only] of what thine eyes have actually seen.

Brentonfor it is better for thee that it should be said, Come up to me, than that one should humble thee in the presence of the prince; speak of that which thine eyes have seen.

GreekΚρεῖσσον γάρ σοι τὸ ῥηθῆναι, ἀνάβαινε πρὸς μὲ, ἢ ταπεινῶσαί σε ἐν προσώπῳ δυνάστου· ἃ εἶδον οἱ ὀφθαλμοί σου λέγε.

KJVFor better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.

JPSFor better is it that it be said unto thee: ‘Come up hither’, than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince, whom thine eyes have seen.

ThomsonEnter not hastily into a quarrel: lest thou repent at the last when thy friend shall upbraid thee.

BrentonGet not suddenly into a quarrel, lest thou repent at last.

GreekΜὴ πρόσπιπτε εἰς μάχην ταχέως, ἵνα μὴ μεταμεληθῇς ἐπʼ ἐσχάτων· ἡνίκα ἄν σε ὀνειδίσῃ ὁ σὸς φίλος,

KJV—

JPS—

Thomson—

BrentonWhenever thy friend shall reproach thee, retreat backward, despise him not;

Greekἀναχώρει εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω· μὴ καταφρόνει,

KJV—

JPS—

Thomsonlest thy friend upbraid thee: in which case thy quarrel and enmity will not cease, but last till death. Favour and friendship give freedom. Keep these for thyself that thou mayst not be exposed to reproach. But keep thy ways with a placable temper.

Brentonlest thy friend continue to reproach thee, so thy quarrel and enmity shall not depart, but shall be to thee like death.

Greekμή σε ὀνειδίσῃ μὲν ὁ φίλος, ἡ δὲ μάχη σου καὶ ἡ ἔχθρα οὐκ ἀπέσται, ἀλλὰ ἔσται σοι ἴση θανάτῳ·

KJV—

JPS—

10a

Thomson—

BrentonFavour and friendship set a man free, which do thou keep for thyself, lest thou be made liable to reproach; but take heed to thy ways peaceably.

Greekχάρις καὶ φιλία ἐλευθεροῖ, ἃς τήρησον σεαυτῷ, ἵνα μὴ ἐπονείδιστος γένῃ, ἀλλὰ φύλαξον τὰς ὁδούς σου εὐσυναλλάκτως.

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonIt is an apple of gold in a sardius bracelet, thus to speak a word [peaceably].

BrentonAs a golden apple in a necklace of sardius, so is it to speak a wise word.

GreekΜῆλον χρυσοῦν ἐν ὁρμίσκῳ σαρδίου, οὕτως εἰπεῖν λόγον.

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonA precious sardius is bound to an earring of gold; and a word of wisdom to an obedient ear.

BrentonIn an ear-ring of gold a precious sardius is also set; so is a wise word to an obedient ear.

GreekΕἰς ἐνώτιον χρυσοῦν καὶ σάρδιον πολυτελὲς δέδεται, λόγος σοφὸς εἰς εὐήκοον οὖς.

KJVAs an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.

JPSAs an ear-ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, So is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.

ThomsonAs the coming out of snow in harvest is grateful according to the degree of heat: so is a faithful messenger to them who send him: for he refresheth the souls of them who employ him.

BrentonAs a fall of snow in the time of harvest is good against heat, so a faithful messenger refreshes those that send him; for he helps the souls of his employers.

GreekὭσπερ ἔξοδος χιόνος ἐν ἀμητῷ κατὰ καῦμα ὠφελεῖ, οὕτως ἄγγελος πιστὸς τοὺς ἀποστείλαντας αὐτόν· ψυχὰς γὰρ τῶν αὐτῷ χρωμένων ὠφελεῖ.

KJVAs the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.

JPSAs the cold of snow in the time of harvest, So is a faithful messenger to him that sendeth him; For he refresheth the soul of his master. .

ThomsonAs winds and clouds and rain are conspicuous things; so is he who boasteth for a false gift.

BrentonAs winds and clouds and rains are most evident objects, so is he that boasts of a false gift.

GreekὭσπερ ἄνεμοι καὶ νέφη καὶ ὑετοὶ, ἐπιφανέστατα, οὕτως ὁ καυχώμενος ἐπὶ δόσει ψευδεῖ.

KJVWhoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.

JPS—

ThomsonBy patience kings have a prosperous journey: and a soft tongue breaketh bones.

BrentonIn long-suffering is prosperity to kings, and a soft tongue breaks the bones.

GreekἘν μακροθυμίᾳ εὐοδία βασιλεῦσι, γλῶσσα δὲ μαλακὴ συντρίβει ὀστᾶ.

KJVBy long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.

JPSBy long forbearing is a ruler persuaded, And a soft tongue breaketh the bone.

ThomsonHaving found honey, eat just what is sufficient: lest being glutted thou vomit it up.

BrentonHaving found honey, eat only what is enough, lest haply thou be filled, and vomit it up.

GreekΜέλι εὑρὼν φάγε τὸ ἱκανὸν, μή ποτε πλησθεὶς ἐξεμέσῃς.

KJVHast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.

JPSHast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, Lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.

ThomsonGo seldom to the house of thy friend: lest he be cloyed with thee and hate thee.

BrentonEnter sparingly into thy friend's house, lest he be satiated with thy company, and hate thee.

GreekΣπάνιον εἴσαγε σὸν πόδα πρὸς σεαυτοῦ φίλον, μή ποτε πλησθείς σου μισήσῃ σε.

KJVWithdraw thy foot from thy neighbour’s house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.

JPSLet thy foot be seldom in thy neighbour’s house; Lest he be sated with thee, and hate thee.

ThomsonSharp is a nail and a sword and an arrow: so is a man who beareth false witness against his friend.

BrentonAs a club, and a dagger, and a pointed arrow, so also is a man who bears false witness against his friend.

GreekῬόπαλον καὶ μάχαιρα καὶ τόξευμα ἀκιδωτὸν, οὕτως καὶ ἀνὴρ ὁ καταμαρτυρῶν τοῦ φίλου αὐτοῦ μαρτυρίαν ψευδῆ.

KJVA man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.

JPSAs a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow, So is a man that beareth false witness against his neighbour.

ThomsonThe way of a bad man and the foot of a transgressor shall be destroyed in an evil day.

BrentonThe way of the wicked and the foot of the transgressor shall perish in an evil day.

GreekΟδὸς κακοῦ καὶ ποὺς παρανόμου ὀλεῖται ἐν ἡμέρᾳ κακῇ.

KJV—

JPS—

Thomson—

BrentonAs vinegar is bad for a sore, so trouble befalling the body afflicts the heart.

GreekὭσπερ ὄξος ἕλκει ἀσύμφορον, οὕτως προσπεσὸν πάθος ἐν σώματι καρδίαν λυπεῖ·

KJV—

JPS—

20a

ThomsonAs vinegar is hurtful to a boil; so bodily disease giveth pain to the heart. As a moth in a garment and a worm in wood: so a man’s grief hurteth the heart.

BrentonAs a moth in a garment, and a worm in wood, so the grief of a man hurts the heart.

Greekὥσπερ σὴς ἐν ἱματίῳ καὶ σκώληξ ξύλῳ, οὕτως λύπη ἀνδρὸς βλάπτει καρδίαν.

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonIf thine enemy hunger feed him; if he be thirsty give him drink:

BrentonIf thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink;

GreekἘὰν πεινᾷ ὁ ἐχθρός σου, ψώμιζε αὐτὸν, ἐὰν διψᾷ, πότιζε αὐτόν·

KJVIf thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:

JPSIf thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat, And if he be thirsty, give him water to drink;

Thomsonfor by doing this thou wilt use the means to melt him; and the Lord will reward thee with good.

Brentonfor so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee with good.

GreekΤοῦτο γὰρ ποιῶν ἄνθρακας πυρὸς σωρεύσεις ἐπὶ τὴν κεφαλὴν αὐτοῦ, ὁ δὲ Κύριος ἀνταποδώσει σοι ἀγαθά.

KJVFor thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.

JPSFor thou wilt heap coals of fire upon his head, And the LORD will reward thee.

ThomsonThe north wind raiseth clouds: and an impudent countenance irritateth the tongue.

BrentonThe north wind raises clouds; so an impudent face provokes the tongue.

GreekἌνεμος Βορέας ἐξεγείρει νέφη, πρόσωπον δὲ ἀναιδὲς γλῶσσαν ἐρεθίζει·

KJVThe north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.

JPSThe north wind bringeth forth rain, And a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.

ThomsonIt is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a scolding wife in a wide house.

BrentonIt is better to dwell on a corner of the roof, than with a railing woman in an open house.

GreekΚρεῖσσον οἰκεῖν ἐπὶ γωνίας δώματος, ἢ μετὰ γυναικὸς λοιδόρου ἐν οἰκίᾳ κοινῇ.

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

JPSIt is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, Than in a house in common with a contentious woman.

ThomsonAs cold water is grateful to a thirsty soul; so is good news from a distant country.

BrentonAs cold water is agreeable to a thirsting soul, so is a good message from a land far off.

GreekὭσπερ ὕδωρ ψυχρὸν ψυχῇ διψώσῃ προσηνὲς, οὕτως ἀγγελία ἀγαθὴ ἐκ γῆς μακρόθεν.

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

JPSAs cold waters to a faint soul, So is good news from a far country.

ThomsonAs if one should stop up a fountain and destroy an outlet of water: so is it disorderly for a righteous man to fall before the wicked.

BrentonAs 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.

GreekὭσπερ εἴ τις πηγὴν φράσσοι καὶ ὕδατος ἔξοδον λυμαίνοιτο, οὕτως ἄκοσμον δίκαιον πεπτωκέναι ἐνώπιον ἀσεβοῦς.

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

JPSAs a troubled fountain, and a corrupted spring, So is a righteous man that giveth way before the wicked.

ThomsonIt is not good to eat too much honey: but we ought to honour glorious words.

BrentonIt is not good to eat much honey; but it is right to honour venerable sayings.

GreekἘσθίειν μέλι πολὺ οὐ καλὸν, τιμᾷν δὲ χρὴ λόγους ἐνδόξους.

KJVIt is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.

JPSIt is not good to eat much honey; So for men to search out their own glory is not glory.

ThomsonA man who doth anything without counsel is like a city which hath the foundations of walls laid, and is without walls.

BrentonAs a city whose walls are broken down, and which is unfortified, so is a man who does anything without counsel.

GreekὭσπερ πόλις τὰ τείχη καταβεβλημένη καὶ ἀτείχιστος, οὕτως ἀνὴρ ὃς οὐ μετὰ βουλῆς τι πράσσει.

KJVHe that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.

JPSLike a city broken down and without a wall, So is he whose spirit is without restraint.