American Standard Version ASV
New International Version NIV
1 These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
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These are more proverbs of Solomon, compiled by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing; But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
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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 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, So the heart of kings is unsearchable.
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As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
4 Take away the dross from the silver, And there cometh forth a vessel for the refiner:
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Remove the dross from the silver, and a silversmith can produce a vessel;
5 Take away the wicked [from] before the king, And his throne shall be established in righteousness.
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remove wicked officials from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established through righteousness.
6 Put not thyself forward in the presence of the king, And stand not in the place of great men:
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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 better is it that it be said unto thee, Come up hither, Than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince, Whom thine 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 Go not forth hastily to strive, Lest [thou know not] what to do in the end thereof, When thy neighbor hath put thee 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 Debate thy cause with thy neighbor [himself], And disclose not the secret of another;
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If you take your neighbor to court, do not betray another’s confidence,
10 Lest he that heareth it revile thee, And thine infamy turn not away.
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or the one who hears it may shame you and the charge against you will stand.
11 A word fitly spoken Is [like] apples of gold in network of silver.
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Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a ruling rightly given.
12 [As] an ear-ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, [So is] a wise reprover upon an obedient 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 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, [So is] a faithful messenger to them that send him; For he refresheth the soul of his masters.
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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 [As] clouds and wind without rain, [So is] he that boasteth himself of his gifts falsely.
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Like clouds and wind without rain is one who boasts of gifts never given.
15 By long forbearing is a ruler persuaded, And a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
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Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
16 Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, Lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.
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If you find honey, eat just enough— too much of it, and you will vomit.
17 Let thy foot be seldom in thy neighbor's house, Lest he be weary of thee, and hate thee.
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Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house— too much of you, and they will hate you.
18 A man that beareth false witness against his neighbor Is a maul, and a sword, and 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 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble Is [like] a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
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Like a broken tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in a time of trouble.
20 [As] one that taketh off a garment in cold weather, [and as] vinegar upon soda, So is he that singeth 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 thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he be 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 thou wilt heap coals of fire upon his head, And Jehovah will reward thee.
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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 bringeth forth rain: So doth a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.
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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 dwell in the corner of the housetop, Than with a contentious woman in a wide house.
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Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
25 [As] cold waters to a thirsty soul, So is good news from a far country.
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Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land.
26 [As] a troubled fountain, and a corrupted spring, [So is] a righteous man that giveth 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 is not good to eat much honey: So [for men] to search out their own glory is grievous.
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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 He whose spirit is without restraint Is [like] a city that is broken down and without walls.
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Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.
The American Standard Version is in the public domain.
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.