| English Standard Version | Holman 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 Hezekiah, king 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 heaven is 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 a vessel 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 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 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 on a silver tray. |
| 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 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 a man who boasts of a gift he does not give. | 14The man 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 man 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 man who does not control his temper is like a city whose wall is broken down. |
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