Christian Standard Bible

English Standard Version

1These too are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of King Hezekiah of Judah, copied.

1These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied.

2It is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to investigate a matter.

2It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.

3As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings cannot be investigated.

3As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable.

4Remove impurities from silver, and material will be produced for a silversmith.

4Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel;

5Remove the wicked from the king's presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness.

5take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.

6Don't boast about yourself before the king, and don't stand in the place of the great;

6Do not put yourself forward in the king’s presence or stand in the place of the great,

7for it is better for him to say to you, "Come up here!" than to demote you in plain view of a noble.

7for 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

8Don't take a matter to court hastily. Otherwise, what will you do afterward if your opponent humiliates you?

8do not hastily bring into court, for what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame?

9Make your case with your opponent without revealing another's secret;

9Argue your case with your neighbor himself, and do not reveal another’s secret,

10otherwise, the one who hears will disgrace you, and you'll never live it down.

10lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your ill repute have no end.

11A word spoken at the right time is like gold apples in silver settings.

11A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.

12A wise correction to a receptive ear is like a gold ring or an ornament of gold.

12Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear.

13To those who send him, a trustworthy envoy is like the coolness of snow on a harvest day; he refreshes the life of his masters.

13Like 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.

14The one who boasts about a gift that does not exist is like clouds and wind without rain.

14Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give.

15A ruler can be persuaded through patience, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.

15With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.

16If you find honey, eat only what you need; otherwise, you'll get sick from it and vomit.

16If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.

17Seldom set foot in your neighbor's house; otherwise, he'll get sick of you and hate you.

17Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house, lest he have his fill of you and hate you.

18A person giving false testimony against his neighbor is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.

18A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.

19Trusting an unreliable person in a difficult time is like a rotten tooth or a faltering foot.

19Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.

20Singing songs to a troubled heart is like taking off clothing on a cold day or like pouring vinegar on soda.

20Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, and like vinegar on soda.

21If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;

21If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,

22for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.

22for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.

23The north wind produces rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.

23The north wind brings forth rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.

24Better to live on the corner of a roof than to share a house with a nagging wife.

24It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.

25Good news from a distant land is like cold water to a parched throat.

25Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.

26A righteous person who yields to the wicked is like a muddied spring or a polluted well.

26Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.

27It is not good to eat too much honey or to seek glory after glory.

27It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it glorious to seek one’s own glory.

28A person who does not control his temper is like a city whose wall is broken down.

28A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.

ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.