| Holman Christian Standard Bible | International Standard Version |
| 1These too are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah, king 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 the glory of kings to investigate 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 cannot be investigated. | 3Just as the heavens are high and earth is deep, so the heart of a king is unfathomable. |
| 4Remove impurities from silver, and a vessel will be produced for a silversmith. | 4Purge the dross from the silver, and material for a vessel comes forth for the silversmith. |
| 5Remove the wicked from the king's presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness. | 5Purge the wicked from the king's presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness. |
| 6Don't brag about yourself before the king, and don't stand in the place of the great; | 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 demote you in plain view of a noble. | 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, |
| 8Don't take a matter to court hastily. Otherwise, what will you do afterward if your opponent humiliates you? | 8don't be in a hurry to argue in court. Otherwise, what will you do later on when your neighbor humiliates you? |
| 9Make your case with your opponent without revealing another's secret; | 9Instead, take up the matter with your neighbor, and don't betray another person's confidence. |
| 10otherwise, the one who hears will disgrace you, and you'll never live it down. | 10Otherwise, anyone who hears will make you ashamed, and your bad reputation will never leave you. |
| 11A word spoken at the right time is like gold apples on a silver tray. | 11Like golden apples set in silver is a word spoken at the right time. |
| 12A wise correction to a receptive ear is like a gold ring or an ornament of gold. | 12Like a gold earring and a necklace of pure gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear. |
| 13To those who send him, a trustworthy messenger is like the coolness of snow on a harvest day; he refreshes the life of his masters. | 13Like cold snow during harvest time is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes his masters. |
| 14The man who boasts about a gift that does not exist is like clouds and wind without rain. | 14Like clouds and winds without rain is the man who brags about gifts he never gave. |
| 15A ruler can be persuaded through patience, and a gentle tongue can break a bone. | 15Through patience a ruler may be persuaded; a gentle word can break a bone. |
| 16If you find honey, eat only what you need; otherwise, you'll get sick from it and vomit. | 16If you find some honey, eat only what you need. Take too much, and you'll vomit. |
| 17Seldom set foot in your neighbor's house; otherwise, he'll get sick of you and hate you. | 17Seldom set foot in your neighbor's home; otherwise, he'll grow weary and hate you. |
| 18A man giving false testimony against his neighbor is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow. | 18A club, a sword, and a sharp arrow— that's what a man is who lies about his neighbor. |
| 19Trusting an unreliable person in a difficult time is like a rotten tooth or a faltering foot. | 19A bad tooth and an unsteady foot— that's what confidence in an unreliable man is like in a time of trouble. |
| 20Singing songs to a troubled heart is like taking off clothing on a cold day or like pouring vinegar on soda. | 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 burning coals 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 produces rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks. | 23The north wind brings rain, and a backbiting tongue an angry look. |
| 24Better to live on the corner of a roof than to share a house with a nagging wife. | 24It's better to live in a corner on the roof than in a house with a contentious woman. |
| 25Good news from a distant land is like cold water to a parched throat. | 25Cold water to someone who is thirsty — that's what good news from a distant land is. |
| 26A righteous person who yields to the wicked is like a muddied spring or a polluted well. | 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 or to seek glory after glory. | 27To eat too much honey isn't good; and neither is it honorable to seek one's own glory. |
| 28A man who does not control his temper is like a city whose wall is broken down. | 28Like a city with breached walls is a man without self-control. |
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