New International Version | New American Standard Bible 1995 |
1These are more proverbs of Solomon, compiled by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah: | 1These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, transcribed. |
2It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings. | 2It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter. |
3As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable. | 3As the heavens for height and the earth for depth, So the heart of kings is unsearchable. |
4Remove the dross from the silver, and a silversmith can produce a vessel; | 4Take away the dross from the silver, And there comes out a vessel for the smith; |
5remove wicked officials from the king's presence, and his throne will be established through righteousness. | 5Take away the wicked before the king, And his throne will be established in righteousness. |
6Do not exalt yourself in the king's presence, and do not claim a place among his great men; | 6Do not claim honor in the presence of the king, And do not stand in the place of great men; |
7it is better for him to say to you, "Come up here," than for him to humiliate you before his nobles. What you have seen with your eyes | 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. |
8do not bring hastily to court, for what will you do in the end if your neighbor puts you to shame? | 8Do not go out hastily to argue your case; Otherwise, what will you do in the end, When your neighbor humiliates you? |
9If you take your neighbor to court, do not betray another's confidence, | 9Argue your case with your neighbor, And do not reveal the secret of another, |
10or the one who hears it may shame you and the charge against you will stand. | 10Or he who hears it will reproach you, And the evil report about you will not pass away. |
11Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a ruling rightly given. | 11Like apples of gold in settings of silver Is a word spoken in right circumstances. |
12Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is the rebuke of a wise judge to a listening ear. | 12Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold Is a wise reprover to a listening ear. |
13Like a snow-cooled drink at harvest time is a trustworthy messenger to the one who sends him; he refreshes the spirit of his master. | 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. |
14Like clouds and wind without rain is one who boasts of gifts never given. | 14Like clouds and wind without rain Is a man who boasts of his gifts falsely. |
15Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone. | 15By forbearance a ruler may be persuaded, And a soft tongue breaks the bone. |
16If you find honey, eat just enough-- too much of it, and you will vomit. | 16Have you found honey? Eat only what you need, That you not have it in excess and vomit it. |
17Seldom set foot in your neighbor's house-- too much of you, and they will hate you. | 17Let your foot rarely be in your neighbor's house, Or he will become weary of you and hate you. |
18Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow is one who gives false testimony against a neighbor. | 18Like a club and a sword and a sharp arrow Is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor. |
19Like a broken tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in a time of trouble. | 19Like a bad tooth and an unsteady foot Is confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble. |
20Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar poured on a wound, is one who sings songs to a heavy heart. | 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. |
21If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; 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; |
22In doing this, 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. |
23Like a north wind that brings unexpected rain is a sly tongue--which provokes a horrified look. | 23The north wind brings forth rain, And a backbiting tongue, an angry countenance. |
24Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife. | 24It is better to live in a corner of the roof Than in a house shared with a contentious woman. |
25Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land. | 25Like cold water to a weary soul, So is good news from a distant land. |
26Like a muddied spring or a polluted well are the righteous who give way to the wicked. | 26Like a trampled spring and a polluted well Is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked. |
27It is not good to eat too much honey, nor is it honorable to search out matters that are too deep. | 27It is not good to eat much honey, Nor is it glory to search out one's own glory. |
28Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control. | 28Like a city that is broken into and without walls Is a man who has no control over his spirit. |
New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. | 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 |
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