| New King James Version | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied: | 1These too 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 a matter and the glory of kings to investigate a matter. |
| 3As the heavens for height and the earth for depth, So the heart of kings is unsearchable. | 3As the heaven is high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings cannot be investigated. |
| 4Take away the dross from silver, And it will go to the silversmith for jewelry. | 4Remove impurities from silver, and a vessel will be produced for a silversmith. |
| 5Take away the wicked from before the king, And his throne will be established in righteousness. | 5Remove the wicked from the king's presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness. |
| 6Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king, And do not stand in the place of the great; | 6Don't brag about yourself before the king, and don't stand in the place of the great; |
| 7For it is better that he say to you, “Come up here,” Than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince, Whom your eyes have seen. | 7for it is better for him to say to you, "Come up here!" than to demote you in plain view of a noble. |
| 8Do not go hastily to court; For what will you do in the end, When your neighbor has put you to shame? | 8Don't take a matter to court hastily. Otherwise, what will you do afterward if your opponent humiliates you? |
| 9Debate your case with your neighbor, And do not disclose the secret to another; | 9Make your case with your opponent without revealing another's secret; |
| 10Lest he who hears it expose your shame, And your reputation be ruined. | 10otherwise, the one who hears will disgrace you, and you'll never live it down. |
| 11A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold In settings of silver. | 11A word spoken at the right time is like gold apples on a silver tray. |
| 12Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold Is a wise rebuker to an obedient ear. | 12A wise correction to a receptive ear is like a gold ring or an ornament of gold. |
| 13Like the cold of snow in time of harvest Is a faithful messenger to those who send him, For he refreshes the soul of his masters. | 13To those who send him, a trustworthy messenger is like the coolness of snow on a harvest day; he refreshes the life of his masters. |
| 14Whoever falsely boasts of giving Is like clouds and wind without rain. | 14The man who boasts about a gift that does not exist is like clouds and wind without rain. |
| 15By long forbearance a ruler is persuaded, And a gentle tongue breaks a bone. | 15A ruler can be persuaded through patience, and a gentle tongue can break a bone. |
| 16Have you found honey? Eat only as much as you need, Lest you be filled with it and vomit. | 16If you find honey, eat only what you need; otherwise, you'll get sick from it and vomit. |
| 17Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, Lest he become weary of you and hate you. | 17Seldom set foot in your neighbor's house; otherwise, he'll get sick of you and hate you. |
| 18A man who bears false witness against his neighbor Is like a club, a sword, and a sharp arrow. | 18A man giving false testimony against his neighbor is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow. |
| 19Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble Is like a bad tooth and a foot out of joint. | 19Trusting an unreliable person in a difficult time is like a rotten tooth or a faltering foot. |
| 20Like one who takes away a garment in cold weather, And like vinegar on soda, Is one who sings songs to a heavy heart. | 20Singing songs to a troubled heart is like taking off clothing on a cold day or like pouring vinegar on soda. |
| 21If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; | 21If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; |
| 22For so you will heap coals of fire 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 produces rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks. |
| 24It is better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, Than in a house shared with a contentious woman. | 24Better to live on the corner of a roof than to share a house with a nagging wife. |
| 25As cold water to a weary soul, So is good news from a far country. | 25Good news from a distant land is like cold water to a parched throat. |
| 26A righteous man who falters before the wicked Is like a murky spring and a polluted well. | 26A righteous person who yields to the wicked is like a muddied spring or a polluted well. |
| 27It is not good to eat much honey; So to seek one’s own glory is not glory. | 27It is not good to eat too much honey or to seek glory after glory. |
| 28Whoever has no rule over his own spirit Is like a city broken down, without walls. | 28A man who does not control his temper is like a city whose wall is broken down. |
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