The Complete Jewish Bible CJB
New International Version NIV
1 These also are proverbs of Shlomo; the men of Hizkiyah king of Y'hudah copied them out:
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These are more proverbs of Solomon, compiled by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:
2 God gets glory from concealing things; kings get glory from investigating things.
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It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings.
3 Like the sky for height or the earth for depth is the heart of kings - unfathomable.
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As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
4 Remove the impurities from the silver, and the smith has material to make a vessel.
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Remove the dross from the silver, and a silversmith can produce a vessel;
5 Remove the wicked from the king's presence, and his throne will rest firmly on righteousness.
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remove wicked officials from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established through righteousness.
6 Don't put yourself forward in the king's presence; don't take a place among the great.
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Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence, and do not claim a place among his great men;
7 For it is better to be told, "Come up here,"than be degraded in the presence of a nobleman. What your eyes have seen,
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it 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
8 don't rush to present in a dispute. For what will you do later on, if your neighbor puts you to shame?
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do not bring hastily to court, for what will you do in the end if your neighbor puts you to shame?
9 Discuss your dispute with your neighbor, but don't reveal another person's secrets.
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If you take your neighbor to court, do not betray another’s confidence,
10 If you do, and he hears of it, he will disgrace you, and your bad reputation will stick.
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or the one who hears it may shame you and the charge against you will stand.
11 Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word appropriately spoken.
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Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a ruling rightly given.
12 Like a gold earring, like a fine gold necklace is a wise reprover to a receptive ear.
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Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is the rebuke of a wise judge to a listening ear.
13 Like the coldness of snow in the heat of the harvest is a faithful messenger to the one who sends him; he refreshes his master's spirit.
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Like a snow-cooled drink at harvest time is a trustworthy messenger to the one who sends him; he refreshes the spirit of his master.
14 Like clouds and wind that bring no rain is he who boasts of gifts he never gives.
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Like clouds and wind without rain is one who boasts of gifts never given.
15 With patience a ruler may be won over, and a gentle tongue can break bones.
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Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
16 If you find honey, eat only what you need; for if you eat too much of it, you may throw it up;
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If you find honey, eat just enough— too much of it, and you will vomit.
17 so don't visit your neighbor too much, or he may get his fill of you and come to hate you.
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Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house— too much of you, and they will hate you.
18 Like a club, a sword or a sharp arrow is a person who gives false testimony against a neighbor.
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Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow is one who gives false testimony against a neighbor.
19 Relying on an untrustworthy person in a time of trouble is like [relying on] a broken tooth or an unsteady leg.
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Like a broken tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in a time of trouble.
20 Like removing clothes on a chilly day or like vinegar on soda is someone who sings songs to a heavy heart.
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Like 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.
21 If someone who hates you is hungry, give him food to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
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If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
22 For you will heap fiery coals [of shame] on his head, and ADONAI will reward you.
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In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.
23 The north wind brings rain and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.
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Like a north wind that brings unexpected rain is a sly tongue—which provokes a horrified look.
24 It is better to live on a corner of the roof than to share the house with a nagging wife.
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Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
25 Like cold water to a person faint from thirst is good news from a distant land.
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Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land.
26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted well is a righteous person who gives way before the wicked.
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Like a muddied spring or a polluted well are the righteous who give way to the wicked.
27 It isn't good to eat too much honey or to seek honor after honor.
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It is not good to eat too much honey, nor is it honorable to search out matters that are too deep.
28 Like a city breached, without walls, is a person who lacks self-control.
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Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.