New King James Version NKJV
Hebrew Names Version HNV
1 These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied:
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These also are proverbs of Shlomo, which the men of Hizkiyahu king of Yehudah copied out.
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
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It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
3 As the heavens for height and the earth for depth, So the heart of kings is unsearchable.
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As the heavens for height, and the eretz for depth, So the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
4 Take away the dross from silver, And it will go to the silversmith for jewelry.
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Take away the dross from the silver, And material comes out for the refiner;
5 Take away the wicked from before the king, And his throne will be established in righteousness.
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Take away the wicked from the king's presence, And his throne will be established in righteousness.
6 Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king, And do not stand in the place of the great;
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Don't exalt yourself in the presence of the king, Or claim a place among great men;
7 For it is better that he say to you, "Come up here," Than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince, Whom your eyes have seen.
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For it is better that it be said to you, "Come up here," Than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince, Whom your eyes have seen.
8 Do not go hastily to court; For what will you do in the end, When your neighbor has put you to shame?
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Don't be hasty in bringing charges to court. What will you do in the end when your neighbor shames you?
9 Debate your case with your neighbor, And do not disclose the secret to another;
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Debate your case with your neighbor, And don't betray the confidence of another;
10 Lest he who hears it expose your shame, And your reputation be ruined.
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Lest one who hears it put you to shame, And your bad reputation never depart.
11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold In settings of silver.
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A word fitly spoken Is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
12 Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold Is a wise rebuker to an obedient ear.
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As an ear-ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, So is a wise reprover to an obedient ear.
13 Like the cold of snow in time of harvest Is a faithful messenger to those who send him, For he refreshes the soul of his masters.
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As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, So is a faithful messenger to those who send him; For he refreshes the soul of his masters.
14 Whoever falsely boasts of giving Is like clouds and wind without rain.
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As clouds and wind without rain, So is he who boasts of gifts deceptively.
15 By long forbearance a ruler is persuaded, And a gentle tongue breaks a bone.
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By patience a ruler is persuaded. A soft tongue breaks the bone.
16 Have you found honey? Eat only as much as you need, Lest you be filled with it and vomit.
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Have you found honey? Eat as much as is sufficient for you, Lest you eat too much, and vomit it.
17 Seldom set foot in your neighbor's house, Lest he become weary of you and hate you.
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Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house, Lest he be weary of you, and hate you.
18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor Is like a club, a sword, and a sharp arrow.
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A man who gives false testimony against his neighbor Is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.
19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble Is like a bad tooth and a foot out of joint.
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Confidence in someone unfaithful in time of trouble Is like a bad tooth, or a lame foot.
20 Like one who takes away a garment in cold weather, And like vinegar on soda, Is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
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As one who takes away a garment in cold weather, Or vinegar on soda, So is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
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If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; If he is thirsty, give him water to drink:
22 For so you will heap coals of fire on his head, And the Lord will reward you.
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For you will heap coals of fire on his head, And the LORD will reward you.
23 The north wind brings forth rain, And a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.
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The north wind brings forth rain: So a backbiting tongue brings an angry face.
24 It is better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.
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It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, Than to share a house with a contentious woman.
25 As cold water to a weary soul, So is good news from a far country.
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Like cold water to a thirsty soul, So is good news from a far country.
26 A righteous man who falters before the wicked Is like a murky spring and a polluted well.
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Like a muddied spring, and a polluted well, So is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
27 It is not good to eat much honey; So to seek one's own glory is not glory.
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It is not good to eat much honey; Nor is it honorable to seek ones own honor.
28 Whoever has no rule over his own spirit Is like a city broken down, without walls.
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Like a city that is broken down and without walls Is a man whose spirit is without restraint.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The Hebrew Names Version is in the public domain.