| New King James Version | English Standard Version |
| 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 copied. |
| 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 things, but the glory of kings is to search things out. |
| 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 the smith has material for a vessel; |
| 5Take away the wicked from before the king, And his throne will be established in righteousness. | 5take away the wicked from the presence of 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 put yourself forward in the king’s presence or stand in the place of the great, |
| 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 to be told, “Come up here,” than to be put lower in the presence of a noble. What 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 hastily bring into court, for 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 himself, and do not reveal another’s secret, |
| 10Lest he who hears it expose your shame, And your reputation be ruined. | 10lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your ill repute have no end. |
| 11A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold In settings of silver. | 11A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. |
| 12Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold Is a wise rebuker to an obedient ear. | 12Like a gold ring or an ornament of 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; 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 a gift he does not give. |
| 15By long forbearance a ruler is persuaded, And a gentle tongue breaks a bone. | 15With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone. |
| 16Have you found honey? Eat only as much as you need, Lest you be filled with it and vomit. | 16If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it. |
| 17Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, Lest he become weary of you and hate you. | 17Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house, lest he have his fill of you and hate you. |
| 18A man who bears false witness against his neighbor Is like a club, a sword, and a sharp arrow. | 18A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow. |
| 19Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble Is like a bad tooth and a foot out of joint. | 19Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips. |
| 20Like one who takes away a garment in cold weather, And like vinegar on soda, Is one who sings songs to a heavy heart. | 20Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, and like vinegar on soda. |
| 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 bread 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, angry looks. |
| 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 housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife. |
| 25As cold water to a weary soul, So is good news from a far country. | 25Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country. |
| 26A righteous man who falters before the wicked Is like a murky spring and a polluted well. | 26Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain 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 glorious to seek one’s own glory. |
| 28Whoever has no rule over his own spirit Is like a city broken down, without walls. | 28A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls. |
| The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved. | ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved. |
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