New International Version NIV
Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible RHE
1 These are more proverbs of Solomon, compiled by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:
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These are also parables of Solomon, which the men of Ezechias, king of Juda, copied out.
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 the word, and the glory of kings to search out the speech.
3 As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
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The heaven above and the earth beneath, and the heart 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 rust from silver, and there shall come forth a most pure vessel:
5 remove wicked officials from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established through righteousness.
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Take away wickedness from the face of the king, and his throne shall be established with 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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Appear not glorious before the king, and stand not in the place of great men.
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 that it should be said to thee: Come up hither; than that thou shouldst be humbled before the prince.
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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The things which thy eyes have seen, utter not hastily in a quarrel: lest afterward thou mayst not be able to make amends, when thou hast dishonoured thy friend.
9 If you take your neighbor to court, do not betray another’s confidence,
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Treat thy cause with thy friend, and discover not the secret to a stranger:
10 or the one who hears it may shame you and the charge against you will stand.
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Lest he insult over thee, when he hath heard it, and cease not to upbraid thee. Grace and friendship deliver a man: keep these for thyself, lest thou fall under reproach.
11 Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a ruling rightly given.
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To speak a word in due time, is like apples of gold on beds 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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As an earring of gold and a bright pearl, so is he that reproveth the wise, and the obedient 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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As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to him that sent him, for he refresheth his soul.
14 Like clouds and wind without rain is one who boasts of gifts never given.
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As clouds, and wind, when no rain followeth, so is the man that boasteth, and doth not fulfil his promises.
15 Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
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By patience a prince shall be appeased, and a soft tongue shall break hardness.
16 If you find honey, eat just enough— too much of it, and you will vomit.
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Thou hast found honey, eat what is sufficient for thee, lest being glutted therewith thou vomit it up.
17 Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house— too much of you, and they will hate you.
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Withdraw thy foot from the house of thy neighbour, lest having his fill he hate thee.
18 Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow is one who gives false testimony against a neighbor.
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A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour, is like a dart 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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To trust in an unfaithful man in the time of trouble, is like a rotten tooth, and weary 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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And one that looseth his garment in cold weather. As vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to a very evil heart. As a moth doth by a garment, and a worm by the wood: so the sadness of a man consumeth the 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 thy enemy be hungry, give him to eat: if he thirst, give him 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 thou shalt heap hot coals upon his head, and the Lord will reward thee.
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 driveth away rain, as doth a sad countenance a backbiting tongue.
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 sit in a corner of the housetop: than with a brawling woman, and in a common 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 thirsty soul, so are good tidings 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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A just man falling down before the wicked, is as a fountain troubled with the foot and a corrupted 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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As it is not good for a man to eat much honey, so he that is a searcher of majesty shall be overwhelmed by glory.
28 Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.
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As a city that lieth open and is not compassed with walls, so is a man that cannot refrain his own spirit in speaking.
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 Douay-Rheims Bible is in the public domain.