Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible RHE
New Living Translation NLT
1 These are also parables of Solomon, which the men of Ezechias, king of Juda, copied out.
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These are more proverbs of Solomon, collected by the advisers of King Hezekiah of Judah.
2 It is the glory of God to conceal the word, and the glory of kings to search out the speech.
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It is God’s privilege to conceal things and the king’s privilege to discover them.
3 The heaven above and the earth beneath, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.
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No one can comprehend the height of heaven, the depth of the earth, or all that goes on in the king’s mind!
4 Take away the rust from silver, and there shall come forth a most pure vessel:
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Remove the impurities from silver, and the sterling will be ready for the silversmith.
5 Take away wickedness from the face of the king, and his throne shall be established with justice.
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Remove the wicked from the king’s court, and his reign will be made secure by justice.
6 Appear not glorious before the king, and stand not in the place of great men.
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Don’t demand an audience with the king or push for a place among the great.
7 For it is better that it should be said to thee: Come up hither; than that thou shouldst be humbled before the prince.
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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,
8 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.
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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?
9 Treat thy cause with thy friend, and discover not the secret to a stranger:
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When arguing with your neighbor, don’t betray another person’s secret.
10 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.
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Others may accuse you of gossip, and you will never regain your good reputation.
11 To speak a word in due time, is like apples of gold on beds of silver.
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Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket.
12 As an earring of gold and a bright pearl, so is he that reproveth the wise, and the obedient ear.
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To one who listens, valid criticism is like a gold earring or other gold jewelry.
13 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.
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Trustworthy messengers refresh like snow in summer. They revive the spirit of their employer.
14 As clouds, and wind, when no rain followeth, so is the man that boasteth, and doth not fulfil his promises.
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A person who promises a gift but doesn’t give it is like clouds and wind that bring no rain.
15 By patience a prince shall be appeased, and a soft tongue shall break hardness.
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Patience can persuade a prince, and soft speech can break bones.
16 Thou hast found honey, eat what is sufficient for thee, lest being glutted therewith thou vomit it up.
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Do you like honey? Don’t eat too much, or it will make you sick!
17 Withdraw thy foot from the house of thy neighbour, lest having his fill he hate thee.
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Don’t visit your neighbors too often, or you will wear out your welcome.
18 A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour, is like a dart and a sword and a sharp arrow.
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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.
19 To trust in an unfaithful man in the time of trouble, is like a rotten tooth, and weary foot,
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Putting confidence in an unreliable person in times of trouble is like chewing with a broken tooth or walking on a lame foot.
20 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.
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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.
21 If thy enemy be hungry, give him to eat: if he thirst, give him water to drink:
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If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat. If they are thirsty, give them water to drink.
22 For thou shalt heap hot coals upon his head, and the Lord will reward thee.
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You will heap burning coals of shame on their heads, and the LORD will reward you.
23 The north wind driveth away rain, as doth a sad countenance a backbiting tongue.
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As surely as a north wind brings rain, so a gossiping tongue causes anger!
24 It is better to sit in a corner of the housetop: than with a brawling woman, and in a common house.
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It’s better to live alone in the corner of an attic than with a quarrelsome wife in a lovely home.
25 As cold water to a thirsty soul, so are good tidings from a far country.
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Good news from far away is like cold water to the thirsty.
26 A just man falling down before the wicked, is as a fountain troubled with the foot and a corrupted spring.
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If the godly give in to the wicked, it’s like polluting a fountain or muddying a spring.
27 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.
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It’s not good to eat too much honey, and it’s not good to seek honors for yourself.
28 As a city that lieth open and is not compassed with walls, so is a man that cannot refrain his own spirit in speaking.
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A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.
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