| New King James Version | Berean Study Bible |
| 1These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied: | 1These are additional proverbs of Solomon, which were copied 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 and the glory of kings to search it out. |
| 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 cannot be searched. |
| 4Take away the dross from silver, And it will go to the silversmith for jewelry. | 4Remove the dross from the silver, and a vessel for a silversmith will come forth. |
| 5Take away the wicked from before the king, And his throne will be established in righteousness. | 5Remove the wicked from the king’s presence, 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 exalt yourself 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 he says to you, “Come up here!” than that you should be demoted in the presence of the prince. Even what you have seen with your own 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. Otherwise, what will you do in the end when your neighbor puts you to shame? |
| 9Debate your case with your neighbor, And do not disclose the secret to another; | 9Argue your case with your neighbor without betraying another’s confidence, |
| 10Lest he who hears it expose your shame, And your reputation be ruined. | 10lest the one who hears may disgrace you, and your infamy never go away. |
| 11A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold In settings of silver. | 11A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. |
| 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 a wise man’s rebuke 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 trustworthy messenger to those who send him; 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 the man 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 what you need, lest you have too much and vomit it up. |
| 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, lest he grow weary 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 or sword or 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 broken tooth or a foot out of joint 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 removes a garment on a cold day or 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, 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 in so doing, 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. | 23As the north wind brings forth rain, so a backbiting tongue brings angry looks. |
| 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 to 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 is a righteous man who gives 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 or 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 whose walls are broken down is a man who does not control his temper. |
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