English Standard Version

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 King Hezekiah of Judah, copied.

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

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

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

4Remove impurities from silver, and material will be produced for a silversmith.

5take away the wicked from the presence of 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 put yourself forward in the king’s presence or stand in the place of the great,

6Don't boast 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 put lower in the presence of a noble. What 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 hastily bring into court, for 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 himself, and do not reveal another’s secret,

9Make your case with your opponent without revealing another's secret;

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

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 a setting of silver.

11A word spoken at the right time is like gold apples in silver settings.

12Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover 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 faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.

13To those who send him, a trustworthy envoy is like the coolness of snow on a harvest day; he refreshes the life of his masters.

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

14The one who boasts about a gift that does not exist is like clouds and wind without rain.

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

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

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

16If you find honey, eat only what you need; otherwise, you'll get sick from it and vomit.

17Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house, lest he have his fill 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 war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.

18A person giving false testimony against his neighbor is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.

19Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.

19Trusting an unreliable person in a difficult time is like a rotten tooth or a faltering foot.

20Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, and like vinegar on soda.

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 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.

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

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

24It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared 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 thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.

25Good news from a distant land is like cold water to a parched throat.

26Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before 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 much honey, nor is it glorious to seek one’s own glory.

27It is not good to eat too much honey or to seek glory after glory.

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

28A person who does not control his temper is like a city whose wall is broken down.

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.

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.