Proverbs 25

Highlighted words differ from the KJV. Most differences are matters of wording, style or the age of the English, not of meaning; a few reflect different manuscripts.

KJV WEB

1
KJVThese are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
WEBThese also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
2
KJVIt is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.
WEBIt is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
3
KJVThe heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.
WEBAs the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
4
KJVTake away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.
WEBTake away the dross from the silver, and material comes out for the refiner.
5
KJVTake away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
WEBTake away the wicked from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness.
6
KJVPut not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men:
WEBDon’t exalt yourself in the presence of the king, or claim a place among great men;
7
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.
WEBfor 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.
8
KJVGo not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.
WEBDon’t be hasty in bringing charges to court. What will you do in the end when your neighbor shames you?
9
KJVDebate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another:
WEBDebate your case with your neighbor, and don’t betray the confidence of another,
10
KJVLest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.
WEBlest one who hears it put you to shame, and your bad reputation never depart.
11
KJVA word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
WEBA word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
12
KJVAs an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.
WEBAs an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover to an obedient ear.
13
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.
WEBAs 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.
14
KJVWhoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.
WEBAs clouds and wind without rain, so is he who boasts of gifts deceptively.
15
KJVBy long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
WEBBy patience a ruler is persuaded. A soft tongue breaks the bone.
16
KJVHast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.
WEBHave you found honey? Eat as much as is sufficient for you, lest you eat too much, and vomit it.
17
KJVWithdraw thy foot from thy neighbour’s house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.
WEBLet your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house, lest he be weary of you, and hate you.
18
KJVA man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
WEBA man who gives false testimony against his neighbor is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.
19
KJVConfidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
WEBConfidence in someone unfaithful in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a lame foot.
20
KJVAs he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.
WEBAs one who takes away a garment in cold weather, or vinegar on soda, so is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
21
KJVIf thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
WEBIf your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat. If he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
22
KJVFor thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.
WEBfor you will heap coals of fire on his head, and Yahweh will reward you.
23
KJVThe north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.
WEBThe north wind produces rain; so a backbiting tongue brings an angry face.
24
KJVIt is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.
WEBIt is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than to share a house with a contentious woman.
25
KJVAs cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
WEBLike cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
26
KJVA righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.
WEBLike a muddied spring and a polluted well, so is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
27
KJVIt is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.
WEBIt is not good to eat much honey, nor is it honorable to seek one’s own honor.
28
KJVHe that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
WEBLike a city that is broken down and without walls is a man whose spirit is without restraint.

King James Version (1769 text), public domain outside the United Kingdom, where Crown letters patent apply.
World English Bible (WEB), public domain. “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org.