New International Version NIV
The Bible in Basic English BBE
1 These are more proverbs of Solomon, compiled by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:
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These are more wise sayings of Solomon, copied out by the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah.
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings.
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It is the glory of God to keep a thing secret: but the glory of kings is to have it searched out.
3 As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
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The heaven is high and the earth is deep, and the hearts of kings may not be searched out.
4 Remove the dross from the silver, and a silversmith can produce a vessel;
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Take away the waste from silver, and a vessel will come out for the silver-worker.
5 remove wicked officials from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established through righteousness.
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Take away evil-doers from before the king, and the seat of his power will be made strong in righteousness.
6 Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence, and do not claim a place among his great men;
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Do not take glory for yourself before the king, and do not put yourself in the place of the great:
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
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For it is better to have it said to you, Come up here; than for you to be put down in a lower place before the ruler.
8 do not bring hastily to court, for what will you do in the end if your neighbor puts you to shame?
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Do not be quick to go to law about what you have seen, for what will you do in the end, when your neighbour has put you to shame?
9 If you take your neighbor to court, do not betray another’s confidence,
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Have a talk with your neighbour himself about your cause, but do not give away the secret of another:
10 or the one who hears it may shame you and the charge against you will stand.
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Or your hearer may say evil of you, and your shame will not be turned away.
11 Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a ruling rightly given.
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A word at the right time is like apples of gold in a network of silver.
12 Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is the rebuke of a wise judge to a listening ear.
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Like a nose-ring of gold and an ornament of the best gold, is a wise man who says sharp words to an ear ready to give attention.
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.
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As the cold of snow in the time of grain-cutting, so is a true servant to those who send him; for he gives new life to the soul of his master.
14 Like clouds and wind without rain is one who boasts of gifts never given.
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As clouds and wind without rain, so is one who takes credit for an offering he has not given.
15 Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
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A judge is moved by one who for a long time undergoes wrongs without protest, and by a soft tongue even bone is broken.
16 If you find honey, eat just enough— too much of it, and you will vomit.
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If you have honey, take only as much as is enough for you; for fear that, being full of it, you may not be able to keep it down.
17 Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house— too much of you, and they will hate you.
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Let not your foot be frequently in your neighbour's house, or he may get tired of you, and his feeling be turned to hate.
18 Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow is one who gives false testimony against a neighbor.
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One who gives false witness against his neighbour is a hammer and a sword and a sharp arrow.
19 Like a broken tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in a time of trouble.
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Putting one's faith in a false man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth and a shaking foot.
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.
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Like one who takes off clothing in cold weather and like acid on a wound, is he who makes melody to a sad heart.
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
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If your hater is in need of food, give him bread; and if he is in need of drink, give him water:
22 In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.
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For so you will put coals of fire on his head, and the Lord will give you your reward.
23 Like a north wind that brings unexpected rain is a sly tongue—which provokes a horrified look.
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As the north wind gives birth to rain, so is an angry face caused by a tongue saying evil secretly.
24 Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
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It is better to be living in an angle of the house-top, than with a bitter-tongued woman in a wide house.
25 Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land.
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As cold water to a tired soul, so is good news from a far country.
26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted well are the righteous who give way to the wicked.
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Like a troubled fountain and a dirty spring, is an upright man who has to give way before evil-doers.
27 It is not good to eat too much honey, nor is it honorable to search out matters that are too deep.
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It is not good to take much honey: so he who is not looking for honour will be honoured.
28 Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.
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He whose spirit is uncontrolled is like an unwalled town which has been broken into.
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.
The Bible in Basic English is in the public domain.