Berean Study Bible

English Standard Version

1These are additional proverbs of Solomon, which were copied by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:

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 and the glory of kings to search it out.

2It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.

3As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings cannot be searched.

3As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable.

4Remove the dross from the silver, and a vessel for a silversmith will come forth.

4Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel;

5Remove the wicked from the king’s presence, 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 exalt yourself 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 he says to you, “Come up here!” than that you should be demoted in the presence of the prince. Even what you have seen with your own eyes,

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 bring hastily to court. Otherwise, what will you do in the end when your neighbor puts you to shame?

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 without betraying another’s confidence,

9Argue your case with your neighbor himself, and do not reveal another’s secret,

10lest the one who hears may disgrace you, and your infamy never go away.

10lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your ill repute have no end.

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

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

12Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man’s rebuke 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 trustworthy messenger to those who send him; 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 the man who boasts of gifts never given.

14Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give.

15Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.

15With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.

16If you find honey, eat just what you need, lest you have too much and vomit it up.

16If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.

17Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, lest he grow weary 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 or sword or 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 broken tooth or a foot out of joint 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 removes a garment on a cold day or vinegar poured on a wound is one who sings songs to a heavy 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 in so doing, 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.

23As the north wind brings forth rain, so a backbiting tongue brings angry looks.

23The north wind brings forth rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.

24Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.

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 is good news from a distant land.

25Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.

26Like a muddied spring or a polluted well is a righteous man who gives way to 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 too much honey or 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 whose walls are broken down is a man who does not control his temper.

28A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.

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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.