| NET Bible | International Standard Version |
| 1These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of King Hezekiah of Judah copied: | 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 matter, and it is the glory of a king to search out a matter. | 2It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, and the glory of kings to investigate a matter. |
| 3As the heaven is high and the earth is deep so the hearts of kings are unsearchable. | 3Just as the heavens are high and earth is deep, so the heart of a king is unfathomable. |
| 4Remove the dross from the silver, and material for the silversmith will emerge; | 4Purge the dross from the silver, and material for a vessel comes forth for the silversmith. |
| 5remove the wicked from before the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness. | 5Purge the wicked from the king's presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness. |
| 6Do not honor yourself before the king, and do not stand 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 it is better for him to say to you, "Come up here," than to put you lower before a prince, whom your 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, |
| 8Do not go out hastily to litigation, or what will you do afterward when your neighbor puts you to shame? | 8don't be in a hurry to argue in court. Otherwise, what will you do later on when your neighbor humiliates you? |
| 9When you argue a case with your neighbor, do not reveal the secret of another person, | 9Instead, take up the matter with your neighbor, and don't betray another person's confidence. |
| 10lest the one who hears it put you to shame and your infamy will never go away. | 10Otherwise, anyone who hears will make you ashamed, and your bad reputation will never leave you. |
| 11Like apples of gold in settings of silver, so is a word skillfully spoken. | 11Like golden apples set in silver is a word spoken at the right time. |
| 12Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover to the ear of the one who listens. | 12Like a gold earring and a necklace of pure gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear. |
| 13Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to those who send him, for he refreshes the heart of his masters. | 13Like cold snow during harvest time is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes his masters. |
| 14Like cloudy skies and wind that produce no rain, so is the one who boasts of a gift not given. | 14Like clouds and winds without rain is the man who brags about gifts he never gave. |
| 15Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a soft tongue can break a bone. | 15Through patience a ruler may be persuaded; a gentle word can break a bone. |
| 16When you find honey, eat only what is sufficient for you, lest you become stuffed with it and vomit it up. | 16If you find some honey, eat only what you need. Take too much, and you'll vomit. |
| 17Don't set foot too frequently in your neighbor's house, lest he become weary of you and hate you. | 17Seldom set foot in your neighbor's home; otherwise, he'll grow weary and hate you. |
| 18Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow, so is the one who testifies against his neighbor as a false witness. | 18A club, a sword, and a sharp arrow— that's what a man is who lies about his neighbor. |
| 19Like a bad tooth or a foot out of joint, so is confidence in an unfaithful person at the time of trouble. | 19A bad tooth and an unsteady foot— that's what confidence in an unreliable man is like in a time of trouble. |
| 20Like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar poured on soda, so is one who sings songs to a 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 your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is 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 you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the LORD will reward you. | 22For you'll be piling burning coals of shame on his head and the LORD will reward you. |
| 23The north wind brings forth rain, and a gossiping tongue brings forth an angry look. | 23The north wind brings rain, and a backbiting tongue an angry look. |
| 24It is better to live on a corner of the housetop than in a house in company with a quarrelsome wife. | 24It's better to live in a corner on the roof than in a house with a contentious woman. |
| 25Like cold water to a weary person, so is good news from a distant land. | 25Cold water to someone who is thirsty — that's what good news from a distant land is. |
| 26Like a muddied spring and a polluted well, so is a righteous person who gives way before the wicked. | 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 too much honey, nor is it honorable for people to seek their own glory. | 27To eat too much honey isn't good; and neither is it honorable to seek one's own glory. |
| 28Like a city that is broken down and without a wall, so is a person who cannot control his temper. | 28Like a city with breached walls is a man without self-control. |
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