New Revised Standard NRS
Common English Bible CEB
1 These are other proverbs of Solomon that the officials of King Hezekiah of Judah copied.
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These are also proverbs of Solomon, copied 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 hide something and the glory of kings to discover something.
3 Like the heavens for height, like the earth for depth, so the mind of kings is unsearchable.
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Like the high heavens and the depths of the earth, so the mind of a king is unsearchable.
4 Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel;
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Remove the dross from the silver, and a vessel will come out for the refiner.
5 take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.
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Remove the wicked from the king's presence, and his throne will be established 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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Don't exalt yourself in the presence of the king, or stand in the place of important people,
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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because it is better that he say to you, "Come up here," than to be demoted before a ruler. What your eyes see,
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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don't be quick to quarrel over; what will you do in the future when your neighbor shames you?
9 Argue your case with your neighbor directly, and do not disclose another's secret;
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Argue it out with your neighbor, and don't give away someone's secret.
10 or else someone who hears you will bring shame upon you, and your ill repute will have no end.
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Otherwise, the one who hears it will vilify you; the slander against you will never stop.
11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.
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Words spoken at the right time are like gold apples in a silver setting.
12 Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise rebuke to a listening ear.
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Wise correction to an ear that listens is like a gold earring or jewelry of fine gold.
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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Like the coolness of snow on a harvest day are reliable messengers to those who send them; they restore the life of their master.
14 Like clouds and wind without rain is one who boasts of a gift never given.
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People who brag about a gift never given are like clouds and wind that produce no rain.
15 With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue can break bones.
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A commander can be persuaded with patience, and a tender tongue can break a bone.
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 find honey, eat just the right amount; otherwise, you'll get full and vomit it up.
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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Don't spend too much time in your neighbor's house. Otherwise, they'll get fed up with you and hate you.
18 Like a war club, a sword, or a sharp arrow is one who bears false witness against a neighbor.
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People who testify falsely against their neighbors are like a club, sword, and sharpened arrow.
19 Like a bad tooth or a lame foot is trust in a faithless person in time of trouble.
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Trusting a treacherous person at a difficult time is like having a bad tooth or a wobbly 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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Singing a song to a troubled heart is like taking off a garment on a cold day or putting vinegar on a wound.
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 enemies are starving, feed them some bread; if they are thirsty, give them water to drink.
22 for you will heap coals of fire on their heads, and the Lord will reward you.
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By doing this, you will heap burning coals on their heads, and the LORD will reward you.
23 The north wind produces rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.
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The north wind stirs up rain, and a person who plots quietly provokes angry faces.
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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Better to live on the edge of a roof than to share a house with a contentious woman.
25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
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Good news from a distant land is like cold water for a weary person.
26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain are the righteous who give way before the wicked.
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A righteous person giving in to the wicked is like a contaminated spring or a polluted fountain.
27 It is not good to eat much honey, or to seek honor on top of honor.
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Eating too much honey isn't good, nor is it appropriate to seek honor.
28 Like a city breached, without walls, is one who lacks self-control.
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A person without self-control is like a breached city, one with no walls.
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.
Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible