| Berean Standard Bible | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1These are additional proverbs of Solomon, which were copied by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah: | 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 and the glory of kings to search it out. | 2It is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to investigate a matter. |
| 3As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings cannot be searched. | 3As the heaven is high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings cannot be investigated. |
| 4Remove the dross from the silver, and a vessel for a silversmith will come forth. | 4Remove impurities from silver, and a vessel will be produced for a silversmith. |
| 5Remove the wicked from the king’s presence, 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 great men; | 6Don't brag about yourself before the king, and don't stand in the place of the great; |
| 7for it is better to be told, “Come up here!” than to be demoted in the presence of the prince. Even what you have seen with your own eyes, | 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 bring hastily to court. Otherwise, what will you do in the end when your neighbor puts you to shame? | 8Don't take a matter to court hastily. Otherwise, what will you do afterward if your opponent humiliates you? |
| 9Argue your case with your neighbor without betraying another’s confidence, | 9Make your case with your opponent without revealing another's secret; |
| 10lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your infamy never go away. | 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 or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear. | 12A wise correction to a receptive ear is like a gold ring or an ornament of gold. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 14Like clouds and wind without rain is the man who boasts of gifts never given. | 14The man who boasts about a gift that does not exist is like clouds and wind without rain. |
| 15Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone. | 15A ruler can be persuaded through patience, and a gentle tongue can break a bone. |
| 16If you find honey, eat just what you need, lest you have too much and vomit it up. | 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 grow weary and hate you. | 17Seldom set foot in your neighbor's house; otherwise, he'll get sick 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 giving false testimony against his neighbor is like a club, 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 an unreliable person in a difficult time is like a rotten tooth or a faltering foot. |
| 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. | 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 food 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 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 produces 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. | 24Better to live on the corner of a roof than to share a house with a nagging wife. |
| 25Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land. | 25Good news from a distant land is like cold water to a parched throat. |
| 26Like a muddied spring or a polluted well is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked. | 26A righteous person who yields to the wicked is like a muddied spring or a polluted well. |
| 27It is not good to eat too much honey or to search out one’s own glory. | 27It is not good to eat too much honey or to seek glory after glory. |
| 28Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who does not control his temper. | 28A man who does not control his temper is like a city whose wall is broken down. |
|
