| Berean Study Bible | New International Version |
| 1These are additional proverbs of Solomon, which were copied by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah: | 1These are more proverbs of Solomon, compiled by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah: |
| 2It is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to search it out. | 2It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings. |
| 3As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings cannot be searched. | 3As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable. |
| 4Remove the dross from the silver, and a vessel for a silversmith will come forth. | 4Remove the dross from the silver, and a silversmith can produce a vessel; |
| 5Remove the wicked from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness. | 5remove wicked officials from the king's presence, and his throne will be established through righteousness. |
| 6Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king, and do not stand in the place of great men; | 6Do not exalt yourself in the king's presence, and do not claim a place among his great men; |
| 7for it is better that he says to you, “Come up here!” than that you should be demoted in the presence of the prince. Even what you have seen with your own eyes, | 7it is better for him to say to you, "Come up here," than for him to humiliate you before his nobles. What you have seen with your eyes |
| 8do not bring hastily to court. Otherwise, what will you do in the end when your neighbor puts you to shame? | 8do not bring hastily to court, for what will you do in the end if your neighbor puts you to shame? |
| 9Argue your case with your neighbor without betraying another’s confidence, | 9If you take your neighbor to court, do not betray another's confidence, |
| 10lest the one who hears may disgrace you, and your infamy never go away. | 10or the one who hears it may shame you and the charge against you will stand. |
| 11A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. | 11Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a ruling rightly given. |
| 12Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear. | 12Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is the rebuke of a wise judge to a listening ear. |
| 13Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters. | 13Like a snow-cooled drink at harvest time is a trustworthy messenger to the one who sends him; he refreshes the spirit of his master. |
| 14Like clouds and wind without rain is the man who boasts of gifts never given. | 14Like clouds and wind without rain is one who boasts of gifts never given. |
| 15Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone. | 15Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone. |
| 16If you find honey, eat just what you need, lest you have too much and vomit it up. | 16If you find honey, eat just enough-- too much of it, and you will vomit. |
| 17Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, lest he grow weary and hate you. | 17Seldom set foot in your neighbor's house-- too much of you, and they will hate you. |
| 18Like a club or sword or sharp arrow is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor. | 18Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow is one who gives false testimony against a neighbor. |
| 19Like a broken tooth or a foot out of joint is confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble. | 19Like a broken tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in a time of trouble. |
| 20Like one who removes a garment on a cold day or vinegar poured on a wound is one who sings songs to a heavy heart. | 20Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar poured on a wound, is one who sings songs to a heavy heart. |
| 21If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. | 21If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. |
| 22For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you. | 22In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you. |
| 23As the north wind brings forth rain, so a backbiting tongue brings angry looks. | 23Like a north wind that brings unexpected rain is a sly tongue--which provokes a horrified look. |
| 24Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife. | 24Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife. |
| 25Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land. | 25Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land. |
| 26Like a muddied spring or a polluted well is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked. | 26Like a muddied spring or a polluted well are the righteous who give way to the wicked. |
| 27It is not good to eat too much honey or to search out one’s own glory. | 27It is not good to eat too much honey, nor is it honorable to search out matters that are too deep. |
| 28Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who does not control his temper. | 28Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control. |
|
