New Century Version NCV
New International Version NIV
1 These are more wise sayings of Solomon, copied by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah.
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These are more proverbs of Solomon, compiled by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:
2 God is honored for what he keeps secret. Kings are honored for what they can discover.
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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 No one can measure the height of the skies or the depth of the earth. So also no one can understand the mind of a king.
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As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
4 Remove the scum from the silver, so the silver can be used by the silversmith.
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Remove the dross from the silver, and a silversmith can produce a vessel;
5 Remove wicked people from the king's presence; then his government will be honest and last a long time.
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remove wicked officials from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established through righteousness.
6 Don't brag to the king and act as if you are 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 It is better for him to give you a higher position than to bring you down in front of the prince. Because of something you 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 do not quickly take someone to court. What will you do later when your neighbor proves you wrong?
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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 If you have an argument with your neighbor, don't tell other people what was said.
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If you take your neighbor to court, do not betray another’s confidence,
10 Whoever hears it might shame you, and you might not ever be respected again.
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or the one who hears it may shame you and the charge against you will stand.
11 The right word spoken at the right time is as beautiful as gold apples in a silver bowl.
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Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a ruling rightly given.
12 A wise warning to someone who will listen is as valuable as gold earrings or fine gold jewelry.
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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 Trustworthy messengers refresh those who send them, like the coolness of snow in the summertime.
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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 People who brag about gifts they never give are like clouds and wind that give no rain.
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Like clouds and wind without rain is one who boasts of gifts never given.
15 With patience you can convince a ruler, and a gentle word can get through to the hard-headed.
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Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
16 If you find honey, don't eat too much, or it will make you throw up.
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If you find honey, eat just enough— too much of it, and you will vomit.
17 Don't go to your neighbor's house too often; too much of you will make him hate you.
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Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house— too much of you, and they will hate you.
18 When you lie about your neighbors, it hurts them as much as a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.
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Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow is one who gives false testimony against a neighbor.
19 Trusting unfaithful people when you are in trouble is like eating with a broken tooth or walking with a crippled foot.
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Like a broken tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in a time of trouble.
20 Singing songs to someone who is sad is like taking away his coat on a cold day or pouring vinegar on soda.
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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 your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a 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 Doing this will be like pouring burning coals on his head, and the Lord 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 As the north wind brings rain, telling gossip brings 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 in a corner on the roofn than inside the house with a quarreling wife.
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Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
25 Good news from a faraway place is like a cool drink when you are tired.
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Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land.
26 A good person who gives in to evil is like a muddy spring or a dirty well.
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Like a muddied spring or a polluted well are the righteous who give way to the wicked.
27 It is not good to eat too much honey, nor does it bring you honor to brag about yourself.
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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 Those who do not control themselves are like a city whose walls are broken down.
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Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.
Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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.