| New American Standard Bible 1995 | New Living Translation |
| 1These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, transcribed. | 1These are more proverbs of Solomon, collected by the advisers of King Hezekiah of Judah. |
| 2It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter. | 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 there comes out a vessel for the smith; | 4Remove the impurities from silver, and the sterling will be ready for the silversmith. |
| 5Take away the wicked before 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 claim honor in the presence of the king, And do not stand in the place of great men; | 6Don’t demand an audience with the king or push for a place among 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. | 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 go out hastily to argue your case; Otherwise, what will you do in the end, When your neighbor humiliates you? | 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, And do not reveal the secret of another, | 9When arguing with your neighbor, don’t betray another person’s secret. |
| 10Or he who hears it will reproach you, And the evil report about you will not pass away. | 10Others may accuse you of gossip, and you will never regain your good reputation. |
| 11Like apples of gold in settings of silver Is a word spoken in right circumstances. | 11Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket. |
| 12Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine 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, For 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 his gifts falsely. | 14A person who promises a gift but doesn’t give it is like clouds and wind that bring no rain. |
| 15By forbearance a ruler may be persuaded, And a soft tongue breaks the bone. | 15Patience can persuade a prince, and soft speech can break bones. |
| 16Have you found honey? Eat only what you need, That you not have it in excess and vomit it. | 16Do you like honey? Don’t eat too much, or it will make you sick! |
| 17Let your foot rarely be in your neighbor's house, Or he will become weary of you and hate you. | 17Don’t visit your neighbors too often, or you will wear out your welcome. |
| 18Like a club and a sword and a sharp arrow Is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor. | 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. |
| 19Like a bad tooth and an unsteady foot Is confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble. | 19Putting confidence in an unreliable person in times of trouble is like chewing with a broken tooth or walking on a lame foot. |
| 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. | 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 food 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, an angry countenance. | 23As surely as a north wind brings rain, so a gossiping tongue causes anger! |
| 24It is better to live in a corner of the roof Than in a house shared with a contentious woman. | 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 weary soul, So is good news from a distant land. | 25Good news from far away is like cold water to the thirsty. |
| 26Like a trampled spring and a polluted well 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 glory to search out one's own glory. | 27It’s not good to eat too much honey, and it’s not good to seek honors for yourself. |
| 28Like a city that is broken into and without walls Is a man who has no control over his spirit. | 28A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down 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 | 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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