New Revised Standard NRS
The Bible in Basic English BBE
1 These are other proverbs of Solomon that the officials of King Hezekiah of Judah copied.
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These are more wise sayings of Solomon, copied out by the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah.
2 It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.
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It is the glory of God to keep a thing secret: but the glory of kings is to have it searched out.
3 Like the heavens for height, like the earth for depth, so the mind of kings is unsearchable.
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The heaven is high and the earth is deep, and the hearts of kings may not be searched out.
4 Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel;
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Take away the waste from silver, and a vessel will come out for the silver-worker.
5 take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.
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Take away evil-doers from before the king, and the seat of his power will be made strong in righteousness.
6 Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence or stand in the place of the great;
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Do not take glory for yourself before the king, and do not put yourself in the place of the great:
7 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
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For it is better to have it said to you, Come up here; than for you to be put down in a lower place before the ruler.
8 do not hastily bring into court; for what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame?
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Do not be quick to go to law about what you have seen, for what will you do in the end, when your neighbour has put you to shame?
9 Argue your case with your neighbor directly, and do not disclose another's secret;
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Have a talk with your neighbour himself about your cause, but do not give away the secret of another:
10 or else someone who hears you will bring shame upon you, and your ill repute will have no end.
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Or your hearer may say evil of you, and your shame will not be turned away.
11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.
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A word at the right time is like apples of gold in a network of silver.
12 Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise rebuke to a listening ear.
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Like a nose-ring of gold and an ornament of the best gold, is a wise man who says sharp words to an ear ready to give attention.
13 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.
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As the cold of snow in the time of grain-cutting, so is a true servant to those who send him; for he gives new life to the soul of his master.
14 Like clouds and wind without rain is one who boasts of a gift never given.
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As clouds and wind without rain, so is one who takes credit for an offering he has not given.
15 With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue can break bones.
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A judge is moved by one who for a long time undergoes wrongs without protest, and by a soft tongue even bone is broken.
16 If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, or else, having too much, you will vomit it.
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If you have honey, take only as much as is enough for you; for fear that, being full of it, you may not be able to keep it down.
17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house, otherwise the neighbor will become weary of you and hate you.
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Let not your foot be frequently in your neighbour's house, or he may get tired of you, and his feeling be turned to hate.
18 Like a war club, a sword, or a sharp arrow is one who bears false witness against a neighbor.
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One who gives false witness against his neighbour is a hammer and a sword and a sharp arrow.
19 Like a bad tooth or a lame foot is trust in a faithless person in time of trouble.
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Putting one's faith in a false man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth and a shaking foot.
20 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.
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Like one who takes off clothing in cold weather and like acid on a wound, is he who makes melody to a sad heart.
21 If your enemies are hungry, give them bread to eat; and if they are thirsty, give them water to drink;
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If your hater is in need of food, give him bread; and if he is in need of drink, give him water:
22 for you will heap coals of fire on their heads, and the Lord will reward you.
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For so you will put coals of fire on his head, and the Lord will give you your reward.
23 The north wind produces rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.
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As the north wind gives birth to rain, so is an angry face caused by a tongue saying evil secretly.
24 It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a contentious wife.
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It is better to be living in an angle of the house-top, than with a bitter-tongued woman in a wide house.
25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
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As cold water to a tired soul, so is good news from a far country.
26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain are the righteous who give way before the wicked.
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Like a troubled fountain and a dirty spring, is an upright man who has to give way before evil-doers.
27 It is not good to eat much honey, or to seek honor on top of honor.
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It is not good to take much honey: so he who is not looking for honour will be honoured.
28 Like a city breached, without walls, is one who lacks self-control.
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He whose spirit is uncontrolled is like an unwalled town which has been broken into.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The Bible in Basic English is in the public domain.