New King James Version | Berean Standard Bible |
1These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied: | 1These are additional proverbs of Solomon, which were copied by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah: |
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 search it out. |
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 searched. |
4Take away the dross from silver, And it will go to the silversmith for jewelry. | 4Remove the dross from the silver, and a vessel for a silversmith will come forth. |
5Take away the wicked from 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 exalt yourself in the presence of the king, And do not stand in the place of the great; | 6Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king, and do not stand in the place of great men; |
7For it is better that he say to you, “Come up here,” Than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince, Whom your eyes have seen. | 7for it is better to be told, “Come up here!” than to be demoted in the presence of the prince. Even what you have seen with your own eyes, |
8Do not go hastily to court; For what will you do in the end, When your neighbor has put you to shame? | 8do not bring hastily to court. Otherwise, what will you do in the end when your neighbor puts you to shame? |
9Debate your case with your neighbor, And do not disclose the secret to another; | 9Argue your case with your neighbor without betraying another’s confidence, |
10Lest he who hears it expose your shame, And your reputation be ruined. | 10lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your infamy never go away. |
11A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold In settings of silver. | 11A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. |
12Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold Is a wise rebuker to an obedient ear. | 12Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear. |
13Like the cold of snow in time of harvest Is a faithful messenger to those who send him, For he refreshes the soul of his masters. | 13Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters. |
14Whoever falsely boasts of giving Is like clouds and wind without rain. | 14Like clouds and wind without rain is the man who boasts of gifts never given. |
15By long forbearance a ruler is persuaded, And a gentle tongue breaks a bone. | 15Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone. |
16Have you found honey? Eat only as much as you need, Lest you be filled with it and vomit. | 16If you find honey, eat just what you need, lest you have too much and vomit it up. |
17Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, Lest he become weary of you and hate you. | 17Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, lest he grow weary and hate you. |
18A man who bears false witness against his neighbor Is like a club, a sword, and a sharp arrow. | 18Like a club or sword or sharp arrow is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor. |
19Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble Is like a bad tooth and a foot out of joint. | 19Like a broken tooth or a foot out of joint is confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble. |
20Like one who takes away a garment in cold weather, And like vinegar on soda, Is one who sings songs to a heavy heart. | 20Like one who removes a garment on a cold day or vinegar poured on a wound is one who sings songs to a heavy heart. |
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 so you will heap coals of fire on his head, And the LORD will reward you. | 22For in so doing, 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. | 23As the north wind brings forth rain, so a backbiting tongue brings angry looks. |
24It is better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, Than in a house shared with a contentious woman. | 24Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife. |
25As cold water to a weary soul, So is good news from a far country. | 25Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land. |
26A righteous man who falters before the wicked Is like a murky spring and a polluted well. | 26Like a muddied spring or a polluted well is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked. |
27It is not good to eat much honey; So to seek one’s own glory is not glory. | 27It is not good to eat too much honey or to search out one’s own glory. |
28Whoever has no rule over his own spirit Is like a city broken down, without walls. | 28Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who does not control his temper. |
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved. | This text of God's Word has been dedicated to the public domain. |
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