| New King James Version | New International Version |
| 1These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied: | 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, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter. | 2It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings. |
| 3As the heavens for height and the earth for depth, So the heart of kings is unsearchable. | 3As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable. |
| 4Take away the dross from silver, And it will go to the silversmith for jewelry. | 4Remove the dross from the silver, and a silversmith can produce a vessel; |
| 5Take away the wicked from before the king, 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 the great; | 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 say to you, “Come up here,” Than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince, Whom your eyes have seen. | 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 go hastily to court; For what will you do in the end, When your neighbor has put you to shame? | 8do not bring hastily to court, for what will you do in the end if your neighbor puts you to shame? |
| 9Debate your case with your neighbor, And do not disclose the secret to another; | 9If you take your neighbor to court, do not betray another's confidence, |
| 10Lest he who hears it expose your shame, And your reputation be ruined. | 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 and an ornament of fine gold Is a wise rebuker to an obedient 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 time of harvest Is a faithful messenger to those who send him, For 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. |
| 14Whoever falsely boasts of giving Is like clouds and wind without rain. | 14Like clouds and wind without rain is one who boasts of gifts never given. |
| 15By long forbearance a ruler is persuaded, And a gentle tongue breaks a bone. | 15Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone. |
| 16Have you found honey? Eat only as much as you need, Lest you be filled with it and vomit. | 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 become weary of you and hate you. | 17Seldom set foot in your neighbor's house-- too much of you, and they will hate you. |
| 18A man who bears false witness against his neighbor Is like a club, a sword, and a sharp arrow. | 18Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow is one who gives false testimony against a neighbor. |
| 19Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble Is like a bad tooth and a foot out of joint. | 19Like a broken tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in a 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 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 bread 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 so you will heap coals of fire 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. |
| 23The north wind brings forth rain, And a backbiting tongue an angry countenance. | 23Like a north wind that brings unexpected rain is a sly tongue--which provokes a horrified look. |
| 24It is better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, Than in a house shared with a contentious woman. | 24Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife. |
| 25As cold water to a weary soul, So is good news from a far country. | 25Like cold water to a weary soul 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 muddied spring or a polluted well are the righteous who give way to 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 too much honey, nor is it honorable to search out matters that are too deep. |
| 28Whoever has no rule over his own spirit Is like a city broken down, without walls. | 28Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control. |
| The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved. | New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. |
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