King James Bible

International Standard Version

1These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.

1Here are some more proverbs by Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, transcribed.

2It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.

2It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, and the glory of kings to investigate a matter.

3The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.

3Just as the heavens are high and earth is deep, so the heart of a king is unfathomable.

4Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.

4Purge the dross from the silver, and material for a vessel comes forth for the silversmith.

5Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.

5Purge the wicked from the king's presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness.

6Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men:

6Don't magnify yourself in the presence of a king, and don't pretend to be in the company of famous men,

7For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.

7for it is better that it be told you, "Come up here," than for you to be placed lower in the presence of an official. What you've seen with your own eyes,

8Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.

8don't be in a hurry to argue in court. Otherwise, what will you do later on when your neighbor humiliates you?

9Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another:

9Instead, take up the matter with your neighbor, and don't betray another person's confidence.

10Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.

10Otherwise, anyone who hears will make you ashamed, and your bad reputation will never leave you.

11A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.

11Like golden apples set in silver is a word spoken at the right time.

12As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.

12Like a gold earring and a necklace of pure gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear.

13As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.

13Like cold snow during harvest time is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes his masters.

14Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.

14Like clouds and winds without rain is the man who brags about gifts he never gave.

15By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.

15Through patience a ruler may be persuaded; a gentle word can break a bone.

16Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.

16If you find some honey, eat only what you need. Take too much, and you'll vomit.

17Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.

17Seldom set foot in your neighbor's home; otherwise, he'll grow weary and hate you.

18A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.

18A club, a sword, and a sharp arrow— that's what a man is who lies about his neighbor.

19Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.

19A bad tooth and an unsteady foot— that's what confidence in an unreliable man is like in a time of trouble.

20As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.

20Taking your coat off when it's cold or pouring vinegar on soda— that's what singing songs does to a heavy heart.

21If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:

21If your enemy hungers, give him food to eat; and if he thirsts, give him water to drink.

22For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.

22For you'll be piling burning coals of shame on his head and the LORD will reward you.

23The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.

23The north wind brings rain, and a backbiting tongue an angry look.

24It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.

24It's better to live in a corner on the roof than in a house with a contentious woman.

25As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.

25Cold water to someone who is thirsty — that's what good news from a distant land is.

26A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.

26A muddied spring or a polluted well— that's what a righteous person is who compromises with the wicked.

27It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.

27To eat too much honey isn't good; and neither is it honorable to seek one's own glory.

28He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.

28Like a city with breached walls is a man without self-control.

King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY.