| New American Standard Bible 1995 | English Standard Version |
| 1These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, transcribed. | 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, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter. | 2It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out. |
| 3As the heavens for height and the earth for depth, So the heart of kings is unsearchable. | 3As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable. |
| 4Take away the dross from the silver, And there comes out a vessel for the smith; | 4Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel; |
| 5Take away the wicked before the king, 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. |
| 6Do not claim honor in the presence of the king, And do not stand in the place of great men; | 6Do not put yourself forward in the king’s presence or stand in the place of the great, |
| 7For 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. | 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 |
| 8Do not go out hastily to argue your case; Otherwise, what will you do in the end, When your neighbor humiliates you? | 8do not hastily bring into court, for what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame? |
| 9Argue your case with your neighbor, And do not reveal the secret of another, | 9Argue your case with your neighbor himself, and do not reveal another’s secret, |
| 10Or he who hears it will reproach you, And the evil report about you will not pass away. | 10lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your ill repute have no end. |
| 11Like apples of gold in settings of silver Is a word spoken in right circumstances. | 11A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. |
| 12Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold Is a wise reprover to a listening ear. | 12Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear. |
| 13Like 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. | 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. |
| 14Like clouds and wind without rain Is a man who boasts of his gifts falsely. | 14Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give. |
| 15By forbearance a ruler may be persuaded, And a soft tongue breaks the bone. | 15With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone. |
| 16Have you found honey? Eat only what you need, That you not have it in excess and vomit it. | 16If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it. |
| 17Let your foot rarely be in your neighbor's house, Or he will become weary 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. |
| 18Like a club and a sword and a sharp arrow Is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor. | 18A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow. |
| 19Like a bad tooth and an unsteady foot Is confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble. | 19Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips. |
| 20Like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar on soda, Is he who sings songs to a troubled heart. | 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 brings forth rain, And a backbiting tongue, an angry countenance. | 23The north wind brings forth rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks. |
| 24It is better to live in a corner of the roof Than in a house shared with a contentious woman. | 24It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife. |
| 25Like cold water to a weary soul, So is good news from a distant land. | 25Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country. |
| 26Like a trampled spring and a polluted well Is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked. | 26Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked. |
| 27It is not good to eat much honey, Nor is it glory to search out one's own glory. | 27It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it glorious to seek one’s own glory. |
| 28Like a city that is broken into and without walls Is a man who has no control over his spirit. | 28A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls. |
| New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit //www.lockman.org | 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. |
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