New International Version NIV
New Revised Standard NRS
1 These are more proverbs of Solomon, compiled by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:
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These are other proverbs of Solomon that the officials of King Hezekiah of Judah copied.
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 conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.
3 As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
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Like the heavens for height, like the earth for depth, so the mind of kings is unsearchable.
4 Remove the dross from the silver, and a silversmith can produce a vessel;
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Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel;
5 remove wicked officials from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established through righteousness.
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take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established 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 put yourself forward in the king's presence or stand 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 be told, "Come up here," than to be put lower in the presence of a noble. What your eyes have seen
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 hastily bring into court; for what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame?
9 If you take your neighbor to court, do not betray another’s confidence,
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Argue your case with your neighbor directly, and do not disclose another's secret;
10 or the one who hears it may shame you and the charge against you will stand.
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or else someone who hears you will bring shame upon you, and your ill repute will have no end.
11 Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a ruling rightly given.
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A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting 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 gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise rebuke to a listening ear.
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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Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest are faithful messengers to those who send them; they refresh the spirit of their masters.
14 Like clouds and wind without rain is one who boasts of gifts never given.
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Like clouds and wind without rain is one who boasts of a gift never given.
15 Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
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With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue can break bones.
16 If you find honey, eat just enough— too much of it, and you will vomit.
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If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, or else, having too much, you will vomit it.
17 Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house— too much of you, and they will hate you.
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Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house, otherwise the neighbor will become weary of you and hate you.
18 Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow is one who gives false testimony against a neighbor.
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Like a war club, a sword, or a sharp arrow is one who bears false witness against a neighbor.
19 Like a broken tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in a time of trouble.
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Like a bad tooth or a lame foot is trust in a faithless person in time of trouble.
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 vinegar on a wound is one who sings songs to a heavy heart. Like a moth in clothing or a worm in wood, sorrow gnaws at the human 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 enemies are hungry, give them bread to eat; and 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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for you will heap coals of fire 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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The north wind produces rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.
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 live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a contentious wife.
25 Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land.
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Like cold water to a thirsty 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 muddied spring or a polluted fountain are the righteous who give way before the wicked.
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 eat much honey, or to seek honor on top of honor.
28 Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.
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Like a city breached, without walls, is one who lacks self-control.