The Message Bible MSG
King James Version KJV
1 There are also these proverbs of Solomon, collected by scribes of Hezekiah, king of Judah.
1
These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
2 God delights in concealing things; scientists delight in discovering things.
2
It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.
3 Like the horizons for breadth and the ocean for depth, the understanding of a good leader is broad and deep.
3
The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4 Remove impurities from the silver and the silversmith can craft a fine chalice;
4
Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.
5 Remove the wicked from leadership and authority will be credible and God-honoring.
5
Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
6 Don't work yourself into the spotlight; don't push your way into the place of prominence.
6
Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men:
7 It's better to be promoted to a place of honor than face humiliation by being demoted.
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.
8 Don't jump to conclusions - there may be a perfectly good explanation for what you just saw.
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.
9 In the heat of an argument, don't betray confidences;
9
Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another:
10 Word is sure to get around, and no one will trust you.
10
Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.
11 The right word at the right time is like a custom-made piece of jewelry,
11
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
12 And a wise friend's timely reprimand is like a gold ring slipped on your finger.
12
As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.
13 Reliable friends who do what they say are like cool drinks in sweltering heat - refreshing!
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.
14 Like billowing clouds that bring no rain is the person who talks big but never produces.
14
Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.
15 Patient persistence pierces through indifference; gentle speech breaks down rigid defenses. A Person Without Self-Control
15
By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
16 When you're given a box of candy, don't gulp it all down; eat too much chocolate and you'll make yourself sick;
16
Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.
17 And when you find a friend, don't outwear your welcome; show up at all hours and he'll soon get fed up.
17
Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.
18 Anyone who tells lies against the neighbors in court or on the street is a loose cannon.
18
A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
19 Trusting a double-crosser when you're in trouble is like biting down on an abscessed tooth.
19
Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
20 Singing light songs to the heavyhearted is like pouring salt in their wounds.
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.
21 If you see your enemy hungry, go buy him lunch; if he's thirsty, bring him a drink.
21
If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
22 Your generosity will surprise him with goodness, and God will look after you.
22
For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.
23 A north wind brings stormy weather, and a gossipy tongue stormy looks.
23
The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.
24 Better to live alone in a tumbledown shack than share a mansion with a nagging spouse.
24
It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.
25 Like a cool drink of water when you're worn out and weary is a letter from a long-lost friend.
25
As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
26 A good person who gives in to a bad person is a muddied spring, a polluted well.
26
A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.
27 It's not smart to stuff yourself with sweets, nor is glory piled on glory good for you.
27
It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.
28 A person without self-control is like a house with its doors and windows knocked out.
28
He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
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.
The King James Version is in the public domain.