New Living Translation NLT
Hebrew Names Version HNV
1 These are more proverbs of Solomon, collected by the advisers of King Hezekiah of Judah.
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These also are proverbs of Shlomo, which the men of Hizkiyahu king of Yehudah copied out.
2 It is God’s privilege to conceal things and the king’s privilege to discover them.
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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 No one can comprehend the height of heaven, the depth of the earth, or all that goes on in the king’s mind!
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As the heavens for height, and the eretz for depth, So the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
4 Remove the impurities from silver, and the sterling will be ready for the silversmith.
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Take away the dross from the silver, And material comes out for the refiner;
5 Remove the wicked from the king’s court, and his reign will be made secure by justice.
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Take away the wicked from the king's presence, And his throne will be established in righteousness.
6 Don’t demand an audience with the king or push for a place among the great.
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Don't exalt yourself in the presence of the king, Or claim a place among great men;
7 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,
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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 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?
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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 When arguing with your neighbor, don’t betray another person’s secret.
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Debate your case with your neighbor, And don't betray the confidence of another;
10 Others may accuse you of gossip, and you will never regain your good reputation.
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Lest one who hears it put you to shame, And your bad reputation never depart.
11 Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket.
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A word fitly spoken Is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
12 To one who listens, valid criticism is like a gold earring or other gold jewelry.
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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 Trustworthy messengers refresh like snow in summer. They revive the spirit of their employer.
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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 A person who promises a gift but doesn’t give it is like clouds and wind that bring no rain.
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As clouds and wind without rain, So is he who boasts of gifts deceptively.
15 Patience can persuade a prince, and soft speech can break bones.
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By patience a ruler is persuaded. A soft tongue breaks the bone.
16 Do you like honey? Don’t eat too much, or it will make you sick!
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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 Don’t visit your neighbors too often, or you will wear out your welcome.
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Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house, Lest he be weary of you, and hate you.
18 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.
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A man who gives false testimony against his neighbor Is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.
19 Putting confidence in an unreliable person in times of trouble is like chewing with a broken tooth or walking on a lame foot.
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Confidence in someone unfaithful in time of trouble Is like a bad tooth, or a lame foot.
20 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.
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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 enemies are hungry, give them food to eat. If they are thirsty, give them 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 You will heap burning coals of shame on their heads, 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 As surely as a north wind brings rain, so a gossiping tongue causes anger!
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The north wind brings forth rain: So a backbiting tongue brings an angry face.
24 It’s better to live alone in the corner of an attic than with a quarrelsome wife in a lovely home.
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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 Good news from far away is like cold water to the thirsty.
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Like cold water to a thirsty soul, So is good news from a far country.
26 If the godly give in to the wicked, it’s like polluting a fountain or muddying a spring.
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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’s not good to eat too much honey, and it’s not good to seek honors for yourself.
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It is not good to eat much honey; Nor is it honorable to seek ones own honor.
28 A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.
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Like a city that is broken down and without walls Is a man whose spirit is without restraint.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by
Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
The Hebrew Names Version is in the public domain.