| New King James Version | New American Standard Bible 1995 |
| 1These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied: | 1These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, transcribed. |
| 2It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter. | 2It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter. |
| 3As the heavens for height and the earth for depth, So the heart of kings is unsearchable. | 3As the heavens for height and the earth for depth, So the heart of kings is unsearchable. |
| 4Take away the dross from silver, And it will go to the silversmith for jewelry. | 4Take away the dross from the silver, And there comes out a vessel for the smith; |
| 5Take away the wicked from before the king, And his throne will be established in righteousness. | 5Take away the wicked before the king, And his throne will be established in righteousness. |
| 6Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king, And do not stand in the place of the great; | 6Do not claim honor in the presence of the king, And do not stand in the place of great men; |
| 7For it is better that he say to you, “Come up here,” Than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince, Whom your eyes have seen. | 7For it is better that it be said to you, "Come up here," Than for you to be placed lower in the presence of the prince, Whom your eyes have seen. |
| 8Do not go hastily to court; For what will you do in the end, When your neighbor has put you to shame? | 8Do not go out hastily to argue your case; Otherwise, what will you do in the end, When your neighbor humiliates you? |
| 9Debate your case with your neighbor, And do not disclose the secret to another; | 9Argue your case with your neighbor, And do not reveal the secret of another, |
| 10Lest he who hears it expose your shame, And your reputation be ruined. | 10Or he who hears it will reproach you, And the evil report about you will not pass away. |
| 11A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold In settings of silver. | 11Like apples of gold in settings of silver Is a word spoken in right circumstances. |
| 12Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold Is a wise rebuker to an obedient ear. | 12Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold Is a wise reprover to a listening ear. |
| 13Like the cold of snow in time of harvest Is a faithful messenger to those who send him, For he refreshes the soul of his masters. | 13Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest Is a faithful messenger to those who send him, For he refreshes the soul of his masters. |
| 14Whoever falsely boasts of giving Is like clouds and wind without rain. | 14Like clouds and wind without rain Is a man who boasts of his gifts falsely. |
| 15By long forbearance a ruler is persuaded, And a gentle tongue breaks a bone. | 15By forbearance a ruler may be persuaded, And a soft tongue breaks the bone. |
| 16Have you found honey? Eat only as much as you need, Lest you be filled with it and vomit. | 16Have you found honey? Eat only what you need, That you not have it in excess and vomit it. |
| 17Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, Lest he become weary of you and hate you. | 17Let your foot rarely be in your neighbor's house, Or he will become weary of you and hate you. |
| 18A man who bears false witness against his neighbor Is like a club, a sword, and a sharp arrow. | 18Like a club and a sword and a sharp arrow Is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor. |
| 19Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble Is like a bad tooth and a foot out of joint. | 19Like a bad tooth and an unsteady foot Is confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble. |
| 20Like one who takes away a garment in cold weather, And like vinegar on soda, Is one who sings songs to a heavy heart. | 20Like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar on soda, Is he who sings songs to a troubled heart. |
| 21If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; | 21If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; |
| 22For so you will heap coals of fire on his head, And the LORD will reward you. | 22For you will heap burning coals on his head, And the LORD will reward you. |
| 23The north wind brings forth rain, And a backbiting tongue an angry countenance. | 23The north wind brings forth rain, And a backbiting tongue, an angry countenance. |
| 24It is better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, Than in a house shared with a contentious woman. | 24It is better to live in a corner of the roof Than in a house shared with a contentious woman. |
| 25As cold water to a weary soul, So is good news from a far country. | 25Like cold water to a weary soul, So is good news from a distant land. |
| 26A righteous man who falters before the wicked Is like a murky spring and a polluted well. | 26Like a trampled spring and a polluted well Is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked. |
| 27It is not good to eat much honey; So to seek one’s own glory is not glory. | 27It is not good to eat much honey, Nor is it glory to search out one's own glory. |
| 28Whoever has no rule over his own spirit Is like a city broken down, without walls. | 28Like a city that is broken into and without walls Is a man who has no control over his spirit. |
| The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved. | New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit //www.lockman.org |
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