Septuagint Bible w/ Apocrypha LXX
New International Version NIV
1 These are the miscellaneous instructions of Solomon, which the friends of Ezekias king of Judea copied out.
1
These are more proverbs of Solomon, compiled by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:
2 The glory of God conceals a matter: but the glory of a king honours business.
2
It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings.
3 Heaven is high, and earth is deep, and a king's heart is unsearchable.
3
As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
4 Beat the drossy silver, and it shall be made entirely pure.
4
Remove the dross from the silver, and a silversmith can produce a vessel;
5 Slay the ungodly from before the king, and his throne shall prosper in righteousness.
5
remove wicked officials from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established through righteousness.
6 Be not boastful in the presence of the king, and remain not in the places of princes;
6
Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence, and do not claim a place among his great men;
7 for better for thee that it should be said, Come up to me, than that should humble thee in the presence of the prince; speak of that which thine eyes have seen.
7
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 Get not suddenly into a quarrel, lest thou repent at last.
8
do not bring hastily to court, for what will you do in the end if your neighbor puts you to shame?
9 Whenever thy friend shall reproach thee, retreat backward, despise not;
9
If you take your neighbor to court, do not betray another’s confidence,
10 lest thy friend continue to reproach thee, so thy quarrel and enmity shall not depart, but shall be to thee like death. Favour and friendship set free, which do thou keep for thyself, lest thou be made liable to reproach; but take heed to thy ways peaceably.
10
or the one who hears it may shame you and the charge against you will stand.
11 a golden apple in a necklace of sardius, so to speak a word.
11
Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a ruling rightly given.
12 In an ear-ring of gold a precious sardius is also set; a wise word to an obedient ear.
12
Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is the rebuke of a wise judge to a listening ear.
13 As a fall of snow in the time of harvest is good against heat, so a faithful messenger those that send him; for he helps the souls of his employers.
13
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 As winds and clouds and rains are most evident , so is he that boasts of a false gift.
14
Like clouds and wind without rain is one who boasts of gifts never given.
15 In long-suffering is prosperity to kings, and a soft tongue breaks the bones.
15
Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
16 Having found honey, eat what is enough, lest haply thou be filled, and vomit it up.
16
If you find honey, eat just enough— too much of it, and you will vomit.
17 Enter sparingly into thy friend's house, lest he be satiated with thy company, and hate thee.
17
Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house— too much of you, and they will hate you.
18 a club, and a dagger, and a pointed arrow, so also is a man who bears false witness against his friend.
18
Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow is one who gives false testimony against a neighbor.
19 The way of the wicked and the foot of the transgressor shall perish in an evil day.
19
Like a broken tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in a time of trouble.
20 As vinegar is bad for a sore, so trouble befalling the body afflicts the heart. As a moth in a garment, and a worm in wood, so the grief of a man hurts the heart.
20
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 thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink;
21
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
22 for so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee good.
22
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.
23 The north wind raises clouds; so an impudent face provokes the tongue.
23
Like a north wind that brings unexpected rain is a sly tongue—which provokes a horrified look.
24 better to dwell on a corner of the roof, than with a railing woman in an open house.
24
Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
25 As cold water is agreeable to a thirsting soul, so is a good message from a land far off.
25
Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land.
26 As if one should stop a well, and corrupt a spring of water, so unseemly for a righteous man to fall before an ungodly man.
26
Like a muddied spring or a polluted well are the righteous who give way to the wicked.
27 not good to eat much honey; but it is right to honour venerable sayings.
27
It is not good to eat too much honey, nor is it honorable to search out matters that are too deep.
28 As a city whose walls are broken down, and which is unfortified, so is a man who does anything without counsel.
28
Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.
The Brenton translation of the Septuagint is in the public domain.
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.