Proverbs 25
NIV Parallel HCSB [BSB CSB ESV HCS KJV ISV NAS NET NIV NLT HEB]
New International VersionHolman Christian Standard Bible
1These are more proverbs of Solomon, compiled by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:1These too are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, copied.
2It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings.2It is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to investigate a matter.
3As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.3As the heaven is high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings cannot be investigated.
4Remove the dross from the silver, and a silversmith can produce a vessel;4Remove impurities from silver, and a vessel will be produced for a silversmith.
5remove wicked officials from the king's presence, and his throne will be established through righteousness.5Remove the wicked from the king's presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness.
6Do not exalt yourself in the king's presence, and do not claim a place among his great men;6Don't brag about yourself before the king, and don't stand in the place of the great;
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 eyes7for it is better for him to say to you, "Come up here!" than to demote you in plain view of a noble.
8do not bring hastily to court, for what will you do in the end if your neighbor puts you to shame?8Don't take a matter to court hastily. Otherwise, what will you do afterward if your opponent humiliates you?
9If you take your neighbor to court, do not betray another's confidence,9Make your case with your opponent without revealing another's secret;
10or the one who hears it may shame you and the charge against you will stand.10otherwise, the one who hears will disgrace you, and you'll never live it down.
11Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a ruling rightly given.11A word spoken at the right time is like gold apples on a silver tray.
12Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is the rebuke of a wise judge to a listening ear.12A wise correction to a receptive ear is like a gold ring or an ornament of gold.
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.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.
14Like clouds and wind without rain is one who boasts of gifts never given.14The man who boasts about a gift that does not exist is like clouds and wind without rain.
15Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.15A ruler can be persuaded through patience, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
16If you find honey, eat just enough-- too much of it, and you will vomit.16If you find honey, eat only what you need; otherwise, you'll get sick from it and vomit.
17Seldom set foot in your neighbor's house-- too much of you, and they will hate you.17Seldom set foot in your neighbor's house; otherwise, he'll get sick of you and hate you.
18Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow is one who gives false testimony against a neighbor.18A man giving false testimony against his neighbor is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.
19Like a broken tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in a time of trouble.19Trusting an unreliable person in a difficult time is like a rotten tooth or a faltering foot.
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.20Singing songs to a troubled heart is like taking off clothing on a cold day or like pouring vinegar on soda.
21If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; 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;
22In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.22for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.
23Like a north wind that brings unexpected rain is a sly tongue--which provokes a horrified look.23The north wind produces rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.
24Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.24Better to live on the corner of a roof than to share a house with a nagging wife.
25Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land.25Good news from a distant land is like cold water to a parched throat.
26Like a muddied spring or a polluted well are the righteous who give way to the wicked.26A righteous person who yields to the wicked is like a muddied spring or a polluted well.
27It is not good to eat too much honey, nor is it honorable to search out matters that are too deep.27It is not good to eat too much honey or to seek glory after glory.
28Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.28A man who does not control his temper is like a city whose wall is broken down.
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.

Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.
Proverbs 24
Top of Page
Top of Page