The Complete Jewish Bible CJB
New King James Version NKJV
1 These also are proverbs of Shlomo; the men of Hizkiyah king of Y'hudah copied them out:
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These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied:
2 God gets glory from concealing things; kings get glory from investigating things.
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It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
3 Like the sky for height or the earth for depth is the heart of kings - unfathomable.
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As the heavens for height and the earth for depth, So the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4 Remove the impurities from the silver, and the smith has material to make a vessel.
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Take away the dross from silver, And it will go to the silversmith for jewelry.
5 Remove the wicked from the king's presence, and his throne will rest firmly on righteousness.
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Take away the wicked from before the king, And his throne will be established in righteousness.
6 Don't put yourself forward in the king's presence; don't take a place among the great.
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Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king, And do not stand in the place of the great;
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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For it is better that he say to you, "Come up here," Than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince, Whom your eyes have seen.
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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Do not go hastily to court; For what will you do in the end, When your neighbor has put you to shame?
9 Discuss your dispute with your neighbor, but don't reveal another person's secrets.
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Debate your case with your neighbor, And do not disclose the secret to another;
10 If you do, and he hears of it, he will disgrace you, and your bad reputation will stick.
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Lest he who hears it expose your shame, And your reputation be ruined.
11 Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word appropriately spoken.
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A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold In settings of silver.
12 Like a gold earring, like a fine gold necklace is a wise reprover to a receptive ear.
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Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold Is a wise rebuker to an obedient ear.
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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Like the cold of snow in time of harvest Is a faithful messenger to those who send him, For he refreshes the soul of his masters.
14 Like clouds and wind that bring no rain is he who boasts of gifts he never gives.
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Whoever falsely boasts of giving Is like clouds and wind without rain.
15 With patience a ruler may be won over, and a gentle tongue can break bones.
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By long forbearance a ruler is persuaded, And a gentle tongue breaks a bone.
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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Have you found honey? Eat only as much as you need, Lest you be filled with it and vomit.
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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Seldom set foot in your neighbor's house, Lest he become weary of you and hate you.
18 Like a club, a sword or a sharp arrow is a person who gives false testimony against a neighbor.
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A man who bears false witness against his neighbor Is like a club, a sword, and a sharp arrow.
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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Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble Is like a bad tooth and a foot out of joint.
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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Like one who takes away a garment in cold weather, And like vinegar on soda, Is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
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 your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
22 For you will heap fiery coals [of shame] on his head, and ADONAI will reward you.
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For so you will heap coals of fire on his head, And the Lord will reward you.
23 The north wind brings rain and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.
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The north wind brings forth rain, And a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.
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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It is better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.
25 Like cold water to a person faint from thirst is good news from a distant land.
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As cold water to a weary soul, So is good news from a far country.
26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted well is a righteous person who gives way before the wicked.
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A righteous man who falters before the wicked Is like a murky spring and a polluted well.
27 It isn't good to eat too much honey or to seek honor after honor.
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It is not good to eat much honey; So to seek one's own glory is not glory.
28 Like a city breached, without walls, is a person who lacks self-control.
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Whoever has no rule over his own spirit Is like a city broken down, without walls.