| Good News Translation w/ Apocrypha (GNTA) |
New International Version (NIV) |
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1 Here are more of Solomon's proverbs, copied by scribes at the court of King Hezekiah of Judah.
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1 These are more proverbs of Solomon, copied by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:
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2 We honor God for what he conceals; we honor kings for what they explain.
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2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings.
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3 You never know what a king is thinking; his thoughts are beyond us, like the heights of the sky or the depths of the ocean.
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3 As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
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4 Take the impurities out of silver and the artist can produce a thing of beauty.
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4 Remove the dross from the silver, and out comes material for the silversmith;
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5 Keep evil advisers away from the king and his government will be known for its justice.
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5 remove the wicked from the king's presence, and his throne will be established through righteousness.
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6 When you stand before the king, don't try to impress him and pretend to be important.
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6 Do not exalt yourself in the king's presence, and do not claim a place among great men;
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7 It is better to be asked to take a higher position than to be told to give your place to someone more important.
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7 it is better for him to say to you, "Come up here," than for him to humiliate you before a nobleman. What you have seen with your eyes
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8 Don't be too quick to go to court about something you have seen. If another witness later proves you wrong, what will you do then?
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8 do not bring hastily to court, for what will you do in the end if your neighbor puts you to shame?
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9 If you and your neighbor have a difference of opinion, settle it between yourselves and do not reveal any secrets.
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9 If you argue your case with a neighbor, do not betray another man's confidence,
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10 Otherwise everyone will learn that you can't keep a secret, and you will never live down the shame.
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10 or he who hears it may shame you and you will never lose your bad reputation.
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11 An idea well-expressed is like a design of gold, set in silver.
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11 A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
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12 A warning given by an experienced person to someone willing to listen is more valuable than gold rings or jewelry made of the finest gold.
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12 Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man's rebuke to a listening ear.
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13 A reliable messenger is refreshing to the one who sends him, like cold water in the heat of harvest time.
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13 Like the coolness of snow at harvest time is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the spirit of his masters.
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14 People who promise things that they never give are like clouds and wind that bring no rain.
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14 Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of gifts he does not give.
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15 Patient persuasion can break down the strongest resistance and can even convince rulers.
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15 Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
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16 Never eat more honey than you need; too much may make you vomit.
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16 If you find honey, eat just enough-- too much of it, and you will vomit.
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17 Don't visit your neighbors too often; they may get tired of you and come to hate you.
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17 Seldom set foot in your neighbor's house-- too much of you, and he will hate you.
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18 A false accusation is as deadly as a sword, a club, or a sharp arrow.
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18 Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow is the man who gives false testimony against his neighbor.
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19 Depending on an unreliable person in a crisis is like trying to chew with a loose tooth or walk with a crippled foot.
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19 Like a bad tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in times of trouble.
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20 Singing to a person who is depressed is like taking off a person's clothes on a cold day or like rubbing salt in a wound.
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20 Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar poured on soda, is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
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21 If your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them a drink.
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21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
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22 You will make them burn with shame, and the Lord will reward you.
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22 In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.
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23 Gossip brings anger just as surely as the north wind brings rain.
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23 As a north wind brings rain, so a sly tongue brings angry looks.
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24 Better to live on the roof than share the house with a nagging wife.
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24 Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
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25 Finally hearing good news from a distant land is like a drink of cold water when you are dry and thirsty.
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25 Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land.
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26 A good person who gives in to someone who is evil reminds you of a polluted spring or a poisoned well.
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26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted well is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked.
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27 Too much honey is bad for you, and so is trying to win too much praise.
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27 It is not good to eat too much honey, nor is it honorable to seek one's own honor.
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28 If you cannot control your anger, you are as helpless as a city without walls, open to attack.
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28 Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.
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| Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission. (Good News Translation w/ Apocrypha) |
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. (New International Version Bible Online) |
