| New King James 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 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 silver, And it will go to the silversmith for jewelry. | 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 will be established in righteousness. | 5Remove the wicked from the king’s court, and his reign will be made secure by justice. |
| 6Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king, And do not 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 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. | 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 hastily to court; For what will you do in the end, When your neighbor has put 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? |
| 9Debate your case with your neighbor, And do not disclose the secret to another; | 9When arguing with your neighbor, don’t betray another person’s secret. |
| 10Lest he who hears it expose your shame, And your reputation be ruined. | 10Others may accuse you of gossip, and you will never regain your good reputation. |
| 11A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold In settings of silver. | 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 rebuker to an obedient ear. | 12To one who listens, valid criticism is like a gold earring or other gold jewelry. |
| 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. | 13Trustworthy messengers refresh like snow in summer. They revive the spirit of their employer. |
| 14Whoever falsely boasts of giving 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 forbearance a ruler is persuaded, And a gentle tongue breaks a bone. | 15Patience can persuade a prince, and soft speech can break bones. |
| 16Have you found honey? Eat only as much as you need, Lest you be filled with it and vomit. | 16Do you like honey? Don’t eat too much, or it will make you sick! |
| 17Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, Lest he become weary 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 club, 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 bad 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. |
| 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 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 so you will heap coals of fire 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 dwell in a corner of a housetop, 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. |
| 25As cold water to a weary soul, So is good news from a far country. | 25Good news from far away is like cold water to the thirsty. |
| 26A righteous man who falters before the wicked Is like a murky spring and a polluted well. | 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 to seek one’s own glory is not glory. | 27It’s not good to eat too much honey, and it’s not good to seek honors for yourself. |
| 28Whoever has no rule over his own spirit Is like a city broken down, without walls. | 28A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls. |
| The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. 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. |
|
