King James Version KJV
New Revised Standard NRS
1 These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
1
These are other proverbs of Solomon that the officials of King Hezekiah of Judah copied.
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.
2
It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.
3 The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.
3
Like the heavens for height, like the earth for depth, so the mind of kings is unsearchable.
4 Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.
4
Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel;
5 Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
5
take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.
6 Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men:
6
Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence or stand in the place of the great;
7 For better it is 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.
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
8 Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.
8
do not hastily bring into court; for what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame?
9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another:
9
Argue your case with your neighbor directly, and do not disclose another's secret;
10 Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.
10
or else someone who hears you will bring shame upon you, and your ill repute will have no end.
11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
11
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.
12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.
12
Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise rebuke 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.
13
Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest are faithful messengers to those who send them; they refresh the spirit of their masters.
14 Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.
14
Like clouds and wind without rain is one who boasts of a gift never given.
15 By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
15
With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue can break bones.
16 Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.
16
If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, or else, having too much, you will vomit it.
17 Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.
17
Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house, otherwise the neighbor will become weary of you and hate you.
18 A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
18
Like a war club, a sword, or a sharp arrow is one who bears false witness against a neighbor.
19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
19
Like a bad tooth or a lame foot is trust in a faithless person in time of trouble.
20 As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.
20
Like vinegar on a wound is one who sings songs to a heavy heart. Like a moth in clothing or a worm in wood, sorrow gnaws at the human heart.
21 If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
21
If your enemies are hungry, give them bread to eat; and if they are thirsty, give them water to drink;
22 For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.
22
for you will heap coals of fire on their heads, and the Lord will reward you.
23 The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.
23
The north wind produces rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.
24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.
24
It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a contentious wife.
25 As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
25
Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
26 A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.
26
Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain are the righteous who give way before the wicked.
27 It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.
27
It is not good to eat much honey, or to seek honor on top of honor.
28 He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
28
Like a city breached, without walls, is one who lacks self-control.
The King James Version is in the public domain.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.