Proverbs 25
Thomson 1808
Brenton 1851
Greek · Brenton
1
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.
2
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.
3
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.
4
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.
5
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.
6
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·
7
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.
8
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,
9
ThomsonIn yielding shew no contempt,
BrentonWhenever thy friend shall reproach thee, retreat backward, despise him not;
Greekἀναχώρει εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω· μὴ καταφρόνει,
10
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·
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.
11
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.
12
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.
13
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.
14
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.
15
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.
16
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.
17
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.
18
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.
19
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.
20
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 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·
20a
Thomson—
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.
21
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·
22
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.
23
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·
24
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.
25
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.
26
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.
27
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.
28
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.