English Standard Version

New Living Translation

1These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied.

1These are more proverbs of Solomon, collected by the advisers of King Hezekiah of Judah.

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

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

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

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

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

4Remove the impurities from silver, and the sterling will be ready for the 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 court, and his reign will be made secure by justice.

6Do not put yourself forward in the king’s presence or stand in the place of the great,

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 put lower in the presence of a noble. What your eyes have seen

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 hastily bring into court, for 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 himself, and do not reveal another’s secret,

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

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

10Others may accuse you of gossip, and you will never regain your good reputation.

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

11Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket.

12Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover 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 faithful 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 a man who boasts of a gift he does not give.

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

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

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

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

16Do you like honey? Don’t eat too much, or it will make you sick!

17Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house, lest he have his fill of you and hate you.

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

18A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.

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.

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

19Putting confidence in an unreliable person in times of trouble is like chewing with a broken tooth or walking on a lame 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 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 bread 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 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.

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

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

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

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

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

27It’s not good to eat too much honey, and it’s not good to seek honors for yourself.

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

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

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.

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.