| New American Standard Bible 1995 | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, transcribed. | 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, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter. | 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 there comes out a vessel for the smith; | 4Remove impurities from silver, and a vessel will be produced for a silversmith. |
| 5Take away the wicked before 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 claim honor 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 that it be said to you, "Come up here," Than for you to be placed lower in the presence of the prince, Whom 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 go out hastily to argue your case; Otherwise, what will you do in the end, When your neighbor humiliates you? | 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, And do not reveal the secret of another, | 9Make your case with your opponent without revealing another's secret; |
| 10Or he who hears it will reproach you, And the evil report about you will not pass away. | 10otherwise, the one who hears will disgrace you, and you'll never live it down. |
| 11Like apples of gold in settings of silver Is a word spoken in right circumstances. | 11A word spoken at the right time is like gold apples on a silver tray. |
| 12Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine 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, For 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 his gifts falsely. | 14The man who boasts about a gift that does not exist is like clouds and wind without rain. |
| 15By forbearance a ruler may be persuaded, And a soft tongue breaks the bone. | 15A ruler can be persuaded through patience, and a gentle tongue can break a bone. |
| 16Have you found honey? Eat only what you need, That you not have it in excess and vomit it. | 16If you find honey, eat only what you need; otherwise, you'll get sick from it and vomit. |
| 17Let your foot rarely be in your neighbor's house, Or he will become weary of you and hate you. | 17Seldom set foot in your neighbor's house; otherwise, he'll get sick of you and hate you. |
| 18Like a club and a sword and a 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 bad tooth and an unsteady foot 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 takes off a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar on soda, Is he who sings songs to a troubled 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 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, an angry countenance. | 23The north wind produces rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks. |
| 24It is better to live in a corner of the roof Than in a house shared with a contentious woman. | 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, So is good news from a distant land. | 25Good news from a distant land is like cold water to a parched throat. |
| 26Like a trampled spring and a polluted well 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 glory 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 that is broken into and without walls Is a man who has no control over his spirit. | 28A man who does not control his temper is like a city whose wall is broken down. |
| New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit //www.lockman.org | Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. |
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