Proverbs 25:7-13
Proverbs 25:6-13 The Message (MSG)
Don’t work yourself into the spotlight; don’t push your way into the place of prominence. It’s better to be promoted to a place of honor than face humiliation by being demoted. Don’t jump to conclusions—there may be a perfectly good explanation for what you just saw. In the heat of an argument, don’t betray confidences; Word is sure to get around, and no one will trust you. The right word at the right time is like a custom-made piece of jewelry, And a wise friend’s timely reprimand is like a gold ring slipped on your finger. Reliable friends who do what they say are like cool drinks in sweltering heat—refreshing!
Proverbs 25:7-13 King James Version (KJV)
For 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. Go not forth hastily to strive, Lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, When thy neighbour hath put thee to shame. Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; And discover not a secret to another: Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, And thine infamy turn not away. A word fitly spoken Is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, So is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear. As 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.
Proverbs 25:7-13 New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995 (NASB1995)
For it is better that it be said to you, “Come up here,” Than for you to be placed lower in the presence of the prince, Whom your eyes have seen. Do not go out hastily to argue your case; Otherwise, what will you do in the end, When your neighbor humiliates you? Argue your case with your neighbor, And do not reveal the secret of another, Or he who hears it will reproach you, And the evil report about you will not pass away. Like apples of gold in settings of silver Is a word spoken in right circumstances. Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold Is a wise reprover to a listening ear. Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest Is a faithful messenger to those who send him, For he refreshes the soul of his masters.
Proverbs 25:7-13 New Century Version (NCV)
It is better for him to give you a higher position than to bring you down in front of the prince. Because of something you have seen, do not quickly take someone to court. What will you do later when your neighbor proves you wrong? If you have an argument with your neighbor, don’t tell other people what was said. Whoever hears it might shame you, and you might not ever be respected again. The right word spoken at the right time is as beautiful as gold apples in a silver bowl. A wise warning to someone who will listen is as valuable as gold earrings or fine gold jewelry. Trustworthy messengers refresh those who send them, like the coolness of snow in the summertime.
Proverbs 25:7-13 American Standard Version (ASV)
For 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. Go not forth hastily to strive, Lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, When thy neighbor hath put thee to shame. Debate thy cause with thy neighbor himself, And disclose not the secret of another; Lest he that heareth it revile thee, And thine infamy turn not away. A word fitly spoken Is like apples of gold in network of silver. As an ear-ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, So is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear. As 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.
Proverbs 25:7-13 New International Version (NIV)
it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,” than for him to humiliate you before his nobles. What you have seen with your eyes do not bring hastily to court, for what will you do in the end if your neighbor puts you to shame? If you take your neighbor to court, do not betray another’s confidence, or the one who hears it may shame you and the charge against you will stand. Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a ruling rightly given. Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is the rebuke of a wise judge to a listening ear. Like a snow-cooled drink at harvest time is a trustworthy messenger to the one who sends him; he refreshes the spirit of his master.
Proverbs 25:7-13 New King James Version (NKJV)
For it is better that he say to you, “Come up here,” Than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince, Whom your eyes have seen. Do not go hastily to court; For what will you do in the end, When your neighbor has put you to shame? Debate your case with your neighbor, And do not disclose the secret to another; Lest he who hears it expose your shame, And your reputation be ruined. A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold In settings of silver. Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold Is a wise rebuker to an obedient ear. Like the cold of snow in time of harvest Is a faithful messenger to those who send him, For he refreshes the soul of his masters.
Proverbs 25:7-13 Amplified Bible (AMP)
For it is better that it be said to you, “Come up here,” Than for you to be placed lower in the presence of the prince, Whom your eyes have seen. [Luke 14:8-10] ¶Do not rush out to argue your case [before magistrates or judges]; Otherwise what will you do in the end [when your case is lost and] When your neighbor (opponent) humiliates you? [Prov 17:14; Matt 5:25] Argue your case with your neighbor himself [before you go to court]; And do not reveal another’s secret, [Matt 18:15] Or he who hears it will shame you And the rumor about you [and your action in court] will have no end. ¶Like apples of gold in settings of silver Is a word spoken at the right time. [Prov 15:23; Is 50:4] Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold Is a wise reprover to an ear that listens and learns. Like the cold of snow [brought from the mountains] in the time of harvest, So is a faithful messenger to those who send him; For he refreshes the life of his masters.
Proverbs 25:7-13 New Living Translation (NLT)
It’s better to wait for an invitation to the head table than to be sent away in public disgrace. Just because you’ve seen something, don’t be in a hurry to go to court. For what will you do in the end if your neighbor deals you a shameful defeat? When arguing with your neighbor, don’t betray another person’s secret. Others may accuse you of gossip, and you will never regain your good reputation. Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket. To one who listens, valid criticism is like a gold earring or other gold jewelry. Trustworthy messengers refresh like snow in summer. They revive the spirit of their employer.
Proverbs 25:7-13 The Passion Translation (TPT)
For it is better for the king to say to you, “Come, you should sit at the head table,” than for him to say in front of everyone, “Please get up and move— you’re sitting in the place of the prince.” Don’t be hasty to file a lawsuit. By starting something you wish you hadn’t, you could be humiliated when you lose your case. Don’t reveal another person’s secret just to prove a point in an argument, or you could be accused of being a gossip and gain a reputation for being one who betrays the confidence of a friend. Winsome words spoken at just the right time are as appealing as apples gilded in gold surrounded with silver. When you humbly receive wise correction, it adorns your life with beauty and makes you a better person. A reliable, trustworthy messenger refreshes the heart of his master, like a gentle snowfall at harvest time.
Proverbs 25:7-13 English Standard Version 2016 (ESV)
for it is better to be told, “Come up here,” than to be put lower in the presence of a noble. What your eyes have seen do not hastily bring into court, for what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame? Argue your case with your neighbor himself, and do not reveal another’s secret, lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your ill repute have no end. A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear. Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.