Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible RHE
New Revised Standard NRS
1 These are also parables of Solomon, which the men of Ezechias, king of Juda, copied out.
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These are other proverbs of Solomon that the officials of King Hezekiah of Judah copied.
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 the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.
3 The heaven above and the earth beneath, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.
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Like the heavens for height, like the earth for depth, so the mind of kings is unsearchable.
4 Take away the rust from silver, and there shall come forth a most pure vessel:
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Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel;
5 Take away wickedness from the face of the king, and his throne shall be established with justice.
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take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.
6 Appear not glorious before the king, and stand not in the place of great men.
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Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence or stand in the place of 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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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
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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do not hastily bring into court; for what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame?
9 Treat thy cause with thy friend, and discover not the secret to a stranger:
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Argue your case with your neighbor directly, and do not disclose another'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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or else someone who hears you will bring shame upon you, and your ill repute will have no end.
11 To speak a word in due time, is like apples of gold on beds of silver.
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A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.
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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Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise rebuke to a listening ear.
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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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.
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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Like clouds and wind without rain is one who boasts of a gift never given.
15 By patience a prince shall be appeased, and a soft tongue shall break hardness.
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With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue 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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If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, or else, having too much, you will vomit it.
17 Withdraw thy foot from the house of thy neighbour, lest having his fill he hate thee.
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Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house, otherwise the neighbor will become weary of you and hate you.
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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Like a war club, a sword, or a sharp arrow is one who bears false witness against a neighbor.
19 To trust in an unfaithful man in the time of trouble, is like a rotten tooth, and weary foot,
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Like a bad tooth or a lame foot is trust in a faithless person in time of trouble.
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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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.
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 bread to eat; and 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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for you will heap coals of fire 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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The north wind produces rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.
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 is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a contentious wife.
25 As cold water to a thirsty soul, so are good tidings 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 just man falling down before the wicked, is as a fountain troubled with the foot and a corrupted spring.
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Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain are the righteous who give way before the wicked.
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 is not good to eat much honey, or to seek honor on top of honor.
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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Like a city breached, without walls, is one who lacks self-control.
The Douay-Rheims Bible is in the public domain.
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.