Berean Standard Bible

New Living Translation

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

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 and the glory of kings to search it out.

2It is God’s privilege to conceal things and the king’s privilege to discover them.

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

3No one can comprehend the height of heaven, the depth of the earth, or all that goes on in the king’s mind!

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

4Remove the impurities from silver, and the sterling will be ready for the silversmith.

5Remove the wicked from the king’s presence, 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 great men;

6Don’t demand an audience with the king or push for a place among 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,

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

9Argue your case with your neighbor without betraying another’s confidence,

9When arguing with your neighbor, don’t betray another person’s secret.

10lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your infamy never go away.

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

14A person who promises a gift but doesn’t give it is like clouds and wind that bring no rain.

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

15Patience can persuade a prince, and soft speech can break bones.

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

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 grow weary and hate you.

17Don’t visit your neighbors too often, or you will wear out your welcome.

18Like a club or sword or 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 broken tooth or a foot out of joint 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 removes a garment on a cold day or vinegar poured on a wound 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 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 in so doing, 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.

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

23As surely as a north wind brings rain, so a gossiping tongue causes anger!

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

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 is good news from a distant land.

25Good news from far away is like cold water to the thirsty.

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

28A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.

This text of God's Word has been dedicated to the public domain.

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.