English Standard Version ESV
The Message Bible MSG
1 These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied.
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There are also these proverbs of Solomon, collected by scribes of Hezekiah, king of Judah.
2 It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.
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God delights in concealing things; scientists delight in discovering things.
3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable.
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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 Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel;
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Remove impurities from the silver and the silversmith can craft a fine chalice;
5 take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.
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Remove the wicked from leadership and authority will be credible and God-honoring.
6 Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence or stand in the place of 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 to be put lower in the presence of a noble.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 do not hastily bring into court, for what will you do in the end, when 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 Argue your case with your neighbor himself, and do not reveal another's secret,
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In the heat of an argument, don't betray confidences;
10 lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your ill repute have no end.
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Word is sure to get around, and no one will trust you.
11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.
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The right word at the right time is like a custom-made piece of jewelry,
12 Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear.
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And a wise friend's timely reprimand is like a gold ring slipped on your finger.
13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.
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Reliable friends who do what they say are like cool drinks in sweltering heat - refreshing!
14 Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give.
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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 persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.
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Patient persistence pierces through indifference; gentle speech breaks down rigid defenses. A Person Without Self-Control
16 If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.
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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 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house, lest he have his fill of you and 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 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.
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Anyone who tells lies against the neighbors in court or on the street is a loose cannon.
19 Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.
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Trusting a double-crosser when you're in trouble is like biting down on an abscessed tooth.
20 Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, and like vinegar on soda.
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Singing light songs to the heavyhearted is like pouring salt in their wounds.
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread 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 burning coals on his head, and the LORD 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 forth 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 in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome 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 thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
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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 fountain is a righteous man 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 is not good to eat much honey, nor is it glorious to seek one's own glory.
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It's not smart to stuff yourself with sweets, nor is glory piled on glory good for you.
28 A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.
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A person without self-control is like a house with its doors and windows knocked out.
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.
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.