The Complete Jewish Bible CJB
The Message Bible MSG
1 These also are proverbs of Shlomo; the men of Hizkiyah king of Y'hudah copied them out:
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There are also these proverbs of Solomon, collected by scribes of Hezekiah, king of Judah.
2 God gets glory from concealing things; kings get glory from investigating things.
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God delights in concealing things; scientists delight in discovering things.
3 Like the sky for height or the earth for depth is the heart of kings - unfathomable.
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Like the horizons for breadth and the ocean for depth, the understanding of a good leader is broad and deep.
4 Remove the impurities from the silver, and the smith has material to make a vessel.
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Remove impurities from the silver and the silversmith can craft a fine chalice;
5 Remove the wicked from the king's presence, and his throne will rest firmly on righteousness.
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Remove the wicked from leadership and authority will be credible and God-honoring.
6 Don't put yourself forward in the king's presence; don't take a place among the great.
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Don't work yourself into the spotlight; don't push your way into the place of prominence.
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's better to be promoted to a place of honor than face humiliation by being demoted.
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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Don't jump to conclusions - there may be a perfectly good explanation for what you just saw.
9 Discuss your dispute with your neighbor, but don't reveal another person's secrets.
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In the heat of an argument, don't betray confidences;
10 If you do, and he hears of it, he will disgrace you, and your bad reputation will stick.
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Word is sure to get around, and no one will trust you.
11 Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word appropriately spoken.
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The right word at the right time is like a custom-made piece of jewelry,
12 Like a gold earring, like a fine gold necklace is a wise reprover to a receptive ear.
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And a wise friend's timely reprimand is like a gold ring slipped on your finger.
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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Reliable friends who do what they say are like cool drinks in sweltering heat - refreshing!
14 Like clouds and wind that bring no rain is he who boasts of gifts he never gives.
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Like billowing clouds that bring no rain is the person who talks big but never produces.
15 With patience a ruler may be won over, and a gentle tongue can break bones.
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Patient persistence pierces through indifference; gentle speech breaks down rigid defenses. A Person Without Self-Control
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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When you're given a box of candy, don't gulp it all down; eat too much chocolate and you'll make yourself sick;
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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And when you find a friend, don't outwear your welcome; show up at all hours and he'll soon get fed up.
18 Like a club, a sword or a sharp arrow is a person who gives false testimony against a neighbor.
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Anyone who tells lies against the neighbors in court or on the street is a loose cannon.
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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Trusting a double-crosser when you're in trouble is like biting down on an abscessed tooth.
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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Singing light songs to the heavyhearted is like pouring salt in their wounds.
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 you see your enemy hungry, go buy him lunch; if he's thirsty, bring him a drink.
22 For you will heap fiery coals [of shame] on his head, and ADONAI will reward you.
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Your generosity will surprise him with goodness, and God will look after you.
23 The north wind brings rain and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.
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A north wind brings stormy weather, and a gossipy tongue stormy looks.
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 alone in a tumbledown shack than share a mansion with a nagging spouse.
25 Like cold water to a person faint from thirst is good news from a distant land.
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Like a cool drink of water when you're worn out and weary is a letter from a long-lost friend.
26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted well is a righteous person who gives way before the wicked.
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A good person who gives in to a bad person is a muddied spring, a polluted well.
27 It isn't good to eat too much honey or to seek honor after honor.
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It's not smart to stuff yourself with sweets, nor is glory piled on glory good for you.
28 Like a city breached, without walls, is a person who lacks self-control.
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A person without self-control is like a house with its doors and windows knocked out.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.