English Standard Version | New Living Translation |
1These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied. | 1These are more proverbs of Solomon, collected by the advisers of King Hezekiah of Judah. |
2It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out. | 2It is God’s privilege to conceal things and the king’s privilege to discover them. |
3As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable. | 3No one can comprehend the height of heaven, the depth of the earth, or all that goes on in the king’s mind! |
4Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel; | 4Remove the impurities from silver, and the sterling will be ready for the silversmith. |
5take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness. | 5Remove the wicked from the king’s court, and his reign will be made secure by justice. |
6Do not put yourself forward in the king’s presence or stand in the place of the great, | 6Don’t demand an audience with the king or push for a place among the great. |
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 | 7It’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, |
8do not hastily bring into court, for what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame? | 8don’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? |
9Argue your case with your neighbor himself, and do not reveal another’s secret, | 9When arguing with your neighbor, don’t betray another person’s secret. |
10lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your ill repute have no end. | 10Others may accuse you of gossip, and you will never regain your good reputation. |
11A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. | 11Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket. |
12Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear. | 12To one who listens, valid criticism is like a gold earring or other gold jewelry. |
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. | 13Trustworthy messengers refresh like snow in summer. They revive the spirit of their employer. |
14Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give. | 14A person who promises a gift but doesn’t give it is like clouds and wind that bring no rain. |
15With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone. | 15Patience can persuade a prince, and soft speech can break bones. |
16If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it. | 16Do you like honey? Don’t eat too much, or it will make you sick! |
17Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house, lest he have his fill of you and hate you. | 17Don’t visit your neighbors too often, or you will wear out your welcome. |
18A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow. | 18Telling lies about others is as harmful as hitting them with an ax, wounding them with a sword, or shooting them with a sharp arrow. |
19Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips. | 19Putting confidence in an unreliable person in times of trouble is like chewing with a broken tooth or walking on a lame foot. |
20Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, and like vinegar on soda. | 20Singing cheerful songs to a person with a heavy heart is like taking someone’s coat in cold weather or pouring vinegar in a wound. |
21If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, | 21If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat. If they are thirsty, give them water to drink. |
22for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you. | 22You will heap burning coals of shame on their heads, and the LORD will reward you. |
23The north wind brings forth rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks. | 23As surely as a north wind brings rain, so a gossiping tongue causes anger! |
24It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife. | 24It’s better to live alone in the corner of an attic than with a quarrelsome wife in a lovely home. |
25Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country. | 25Good news from far away is like cold water to the thirsty. |
26Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked. | 26If the godly give in to the wicked, it’s like polluting a fountain or muddying a spring. |
27It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it glorious to seek one’s own glory. | 27It’s not good to eat too much honey, and it’s not good to seek honors for yourself. |
28A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls. | 28A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls. |
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. | Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. |
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