King James Bible

New Living Translation

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

1These are more proverbs of Solomon, collected by the advisers of King Hezekiah of Judah.

2It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.

2It is God’s privilege to conceal things and the king’s privilege to discover them.

3The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and 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 there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.

4Remove the impurities from silver, and the sterling will be ready for the silversmith.

5Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.

5Remove the wicked from the king’s court, and his reign will be made secure by justice.

6Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men:

6Don’t demand an audience with the king or push for a place among the great.

7For 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.

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,

8Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee 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?

9Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another:

9When arguing with your neighbor, don’t betray another person’s secret.

10Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.

10Others may accuse you of gossip, and you will never regain your good reputation.

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

11Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket.

12As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.

12To one who listens, valid criticism is like a gold earring or other gold jewelry.

13As 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.

13Trustworthy messengers refresh like snow in summer. They revive the spirit of their employer.

14Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.

14A person who promises a gift but doesn’t give it is like clouds and wind that bring no rain.

15By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.

15Patience can persuade a prince, and soft speech can break bones.

16Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.

16Do you like honey? Don’t eat too much, or it will make you sick!

17Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.

17Don’t visit your neighbors too often, or you will wear out your welcome.

18A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and 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.

19Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.

19Putting confidence in an unreliable person in times of trouble is like chewing with a broken tooth or walking on a lame foot.

20As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.

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 thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be 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 thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.

22You will heap burning coals of shame on their heads, and the LORD will reward you.

23The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.

23As surely as a north wind brings rain, so a gossiping tongue causes anger!

24It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.

24It’s better to live alone in the corner of an attic than with a quarrelsome wife in a lovely home.

25As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.

25Good news from far away is like cold water to the thirsty.

26A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.

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: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.

27It’s not good to eat too much honey, and it’s not good to seek honors for yourself.

28He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.

28A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.

King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

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.