The Message Bible MSG
New Living Translation NLT
1 There are also these proverbs of Solomon, collected by scribes of Hezekiah, king of Judah.
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These are more proverbs of Solomon, collected by the advisers of King Hezekiah of Judah.
2 God delights in concealing things; scientists delight in discovering things.
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It is God’s privilege to conceal things and the king’s privilege to discover them.
3 Like the horizons for breadth and the ocean for depth, the understanding of a good leader is broad and deep.
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No one can comprehend the height of heaven, the depth of the earth, or all that goes on in the king’s mind!
4 Remove impurities from the silver and the silversmith can craft a fine chalice;
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Remove the impurities from silver, and the sterling will be ready for the silversmith.
5 Remove the wicked from leadership and authority will be credible and God-honoring.
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Remove the wicked from the king’s court, and his reign will be made secure by justice.
6 Don't work yourself into the spotlight; don't push your way into the place of prominence.
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Don’t demand an audience with the king or push for a place among the great.
7 It's better to be promoted to a place of honor than face humiliation by being demoted.
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It’s better to wait for an invitation to the head table than to be sent away in public disgrace. Just because you’ve seen something,
8 Don't jump to conclusions - there may be a perfectly good explanation for what you just saw.
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don’t be in a hurry to go to court. For what will you do in the end if your neighbor deals you a shameful defeat?
9 In the heat of an argument, don't betray confidences;
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When arguing with your neighbor, don’t betray another person’s secret.
10 Word is sure to get around, and no one will trust you.
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Others may accuse you of gossip, and you will never regain your good reputation.
11 The right word at the right time is like a custom-made piece of jewelry,
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Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket.
12 And a wise friend's timely reprimand is like a gold ring slipped on your finger.
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To one who listens, valid criticism is like a gold earring or other gold jewelry.
13 Reliable friends who do what they say are like cool drinks in sweltering heat - refreshing!
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Trustworthy messengers refresh like snow in summer. They revive the spirit of their employer.
14 Like billowing clouds that bring no rain is the person who talks big but never produces.
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A person who promises a gift but doesn’t give it is like clouds and wind that bring no rain.
15 Patient persistence pierces through indifference; gentle speech breaks down rigid defenses. A Person Without Self-Control
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Patience can persuade a prince, and soft speech can break bones.
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;
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Do you like honey? Don’t eat too much, or it will make you sick!
17 And when you find a friend, don't outwear your welcome; show up at all hours and he'll soon get fed up.
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Don’t visit your neighbors too often, or you will wear out your welcome.
18 Anyone who tells lies against the neighbors in court or on the street is a loose cannon.
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Telling lies about others is as harmful as hitting them with an ax, wounding them with a sword, or shooting them with a sharp arrow.
19 Trusting a double-crosser when you're in trouble is like biting down on an abscessed tooth.
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Putting confidence in an unreliable person in times of trouble is like chewing with a broken tooth or walking on a lame foot.
20 Singing light songs to the heavyhearted is like pouring salt in their wounds.
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Singing cheerful songs to a person with a heavy heart is like taking someone’s coat in cold weather or pouring vinegar in a wound.
21 If you see your enemy hungry, go buy him lunch; if he's thirsty, bring him a drink.
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If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat. If they are thirsty, give them water to drink.
22 Your generosity will surprise him with goodness, and God will look after you.
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You will heap burning coals of shame on their heads, and the LORD will reward you.
23 A north wind brings stormy weather, and a gossipy tongue stormy looks.
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As surely as a north wind brings rain, so a gossiping tongue causes anger!
24 Better to live alone in a tumbledown shack than share a mansion with a nagging spouse.
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It’s better to live alone in the corner of an attic than with a quarrelsome wife in a lovely home.
25 Like a cool drink of water when you're worn out and weary is a letter from a long-lost friend.
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Good news from far away is like cold water to the thirsty.
26 A good person who gives in to a bad person is a muddied spring, a polluted well.
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If the godly give in to the wicked, it’s like polluting a fountain or muddying a spring.
27 It's not smart to stuff yourself with sweets, nor is glory piled on glory good for you.
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It’s not good to eat too much honey, and it’s not good to seek honors for yourself.
28 A person without self-control is like a house with its doors and windows knocked out.
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A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down 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.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by
Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.