New International Version NIV
New Living Translation NLT
1 These are more proverbs of Solomon, compiled by the men 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 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 God’s privilege to conceal things and the king’s privilege to discover them.
3 As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
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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 the dross from the silver, and a silversmith can produce a vessel;
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Remove the impurities from silver, and the sterling will be ready for the silversmith.
5 remove wicked officials from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established through righteousness.
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Remove the wicked from the king’s court, and his reign will be made secure by justice.
6 Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence, and do not claim a place among his great men;
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Don’t demand an audience with the king or push for a place among 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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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 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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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 If you take your neighbor to court, do not betray another’s confidence,
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When arguing with your neighbor, don’t betray another person’s secret.
10 or the one who hears it may shame you and the charge against you will stand.
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Others may accuse you of gossip, and you will never regain your good reputation.
11 Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a ruling rightly given.
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Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket.
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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To one who listens, valid criticism is like a gold earring or other gold jewelry.
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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Trustworthy messengers refresh like snow in summer. They revive the spirit of their employer.
14 Like clouds and wind without rain is one who boasts of gifts never given.
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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 Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
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Patience can persuade a prince, and soft speech can break bones.
16 If you find honey, eat just enough— too much of it, and you will vomit.
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Do you like honey? Don’t eat too much, or it will make you sick!
17 Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house— too much of you, and they will hate you.
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Don’t visit your neighbors too often, or you will wear out your welcome.
18 Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow is one who gives false testimony against a neighbor.
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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 Like a broken tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in a time of trouble.
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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 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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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 your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to 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 In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.
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You will heap burning coals of shame on their heads, and the LORD will reward you.
23 Like a north wind that brings unexpected rain is a sly tongue—which provokes a horrified look.
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As surely as a north wind brings rain, so a gossiping tongue causes anger!
24 Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
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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 cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land.
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Good news from far away is like cold water to the thirsty.
26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted well are the righteous who give way to the wicked.
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If the godly give in to the wicked, it’s like polluting a fountain or muddying a spring.
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’s not good to eat too much honey, and it’s not good to seek honors for yourself.
28 Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.
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A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.
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