Holman Christian Standard Bible CSB
New International Version NIV
1 These too are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, copied.
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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 matter and the glory of kings to investigate 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 heaven is high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings cannot be investigated.
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As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
4 Remove impurities from silver, and a vessel will be produced for a silversmith.
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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 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 Don't brag about yourself before the king, and don't stand in the place of 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 for him to say to you, "Come up here!" than to demote you in plain view of a noble.
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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 take a matter to court hastily. Otherwise, what will you do afterwards if your opponent humiliates you?
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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 Make your case with your opponent without revealing another's secret;
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If you take your neighbor to court, do not betray another’s confidence,
10 otherwise, the one who hears will disgrace you, and you'll never live it down.
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or the one who hears it may shame you and the charge against you will stand.
11 A word spoken at the right time is like golden apples on a silver tray.
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Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a ruling rightly given.
12 A wise correction to a receptive ear is like a gold ring or an ornament of gold.
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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 To those who send him, a trustworthy messenger is like the coolness of snow on a harvest day; he refreshes the life 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 The man who boasts about a gift that does not exist is like clouds and wind without rain.
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Like clouds and wind without rain is one who boasts of gifts never given.
15 A ruler can be persuaded through patience, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
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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; otherwise, you'll get sick from it and vomit.
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If you find honey, eat just enough— too much of it, and you will vomit.
17 Seldom set foot in your neighbor's house; otherwise, he'll get sick of you and hate you.
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Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house— too much of you, and they will hate you.
18 A man giving false testimony against his neighbor is like 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 an unreliable person in a time of trouble is like a rotten tooth or a faltering 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 a troubled heart is like taking off clothing on a cold day, or like [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, 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 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 The north wind produces 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 Better to live on the corner of a roof than in a house shared 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 Good news from a distant land is like cold water to a parched throat.
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Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land.
26 A righteous person who yields to the wicked is like a muddied spring or a polluted 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, or to seek glory after glory.
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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 A man who does not control his temper is like a city whose wall is broken down.
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Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.
Holman Christian Standard Bible ® Copyright © 2003, 2002, 2000, 1999 by Holman Bible Publishers. 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.