| New King James Version | NET Bible |
| 1These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied: | 1These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of King Hezekiah 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 it is the glory of a king to search out 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 are unsearchable. |
| 4Take away the dross from silver, And it will go to the silversmith for jewelry. | 4Remove the dross from the silver, and material for the silversmith will emerge; |
| 5Take away the wicked from before the king, And his throne will be established in righteousness. | 5remove the wicked from before the king, 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 honor yourself before 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 for him to say to you, "Come up here," than to put you lower before a prince, whom your eyes have seen. |
| 8Do not go hastily to court; For what will you do in the end, When your neighbor has put you to shame? | 8Do not go out hastily to litigation, or what will you do afterward when your neighbor puts you to shame? |
| 9Debate your case with your neighbor, And do not disclose the secret to another; | 9When you argue a case with your neighbor, do not reveal the secret of another person, |
| 10Lest he who hears it expose your shame, And your reputation be ruined. | 10lest the one who hears it put you to shame and your infamy will never go away. |
| 11A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold In settings of silver. | 11Like apples of gold in settings of silver, so is a word skillfully spoken. |
| 12Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold Is a wise rebuker to an obedient ear. | 12Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover to the ear of the one who listens. |
| 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, so is a faithful messenger to those who send him, for he refreshes the heart of his masters. |
| 14Whoever falsely boasts of giving Is like clouds and wind without rain. | 14Like cloudy skies and wind that produce no rain, so is the one who boasts of a gift not given. |
| 15By long forbearance a ruler is persuaded, And a gentle tongue breaks a bone. | 15Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a soft tongue can break a bone. |
| 16Have you found honey? Eat only as much as you need, Lest you be filled with it and vomit. | 16When you find honey, eat only what is sufficient for you, lest you become stuffed with it and vomit it up. |
| 17Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, Lest he become weary of you and hate you. | 17Don't set foot too frequently in your neighbor's house, lest he become weary of you 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 a sword or a sharp arrow, so is the one who testifies against his neighbor as a false witness. |
| 19Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble Is like a bad tooth and a foot out of joint. | 19Like a bad tooth or a foot out of joint, so is confidence in an unfaithful person at the 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 takes off a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar poured on soda, so 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 you will heap coals of fire 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 brings forth rain, and a gossiping tongue brings forth an angry look. |
| 24It is better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, Than in a house shared with a contentious woman. | 24It is better to live on a corner of the housetop than in a house in company 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 person, so 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 and a polluted well, so is a righteous person who gives way before 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, nor is it honorable for people to seek their own glory. |
| 28Whoever has no rule over his own spirit Is like a city broken down, without walls. | 28Like a city that is broken down and without a wall, so is a person who cannot control his temper. |
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