New Living Translation

1 These are more proverbs of Solomon, collected by the advisers of King Hezekiah of Judah. 2 It is God (Elohim)’s privilege to conceal things<br>and the king’s privilege to discover them.<br> 3 No one can comprehend the height of heaven, the depth of the earth,<br>or all that goes on in the king’s mind!<br> 4 Remove the impurities from silver,<br>and the sterling will be ready for the silversmith.<br> 5 Remove the wicked from the king’s court,<br>and his reign will be made secure by justice.<br> 6 Don’t demand an audience with the king<br>or push for a place among the great.<br> 7 It’s better to wait for an invitation to the head table<br>than to be sent away in public disgrace.<br> Just because you’ve seen something,<br> 8 don’t be in a hurry to go to court.<br>For what will you do in the end<br>if your neighbor deals you a shameful defeat?<br> 9 When arguing with your neighbor,<br>don’t betray another person’s secret.<br> 10 Others may accuse you of gossip,<br>and you will never regain your good reputation.<br> 11 Timely advice is lovely,<br>like golden apples in a silver basket.<br> 12 To one who listens, valid criticism<br>is like a gold earring or other gold jewelry.<br> 13 Trustworthy messengers refresh like snow in summer.<br>They revive the spirit of their employer.<br> 14 A person who promises a gift but doesn’t give it<br>is like clouds and wind that bring no rain.<br> 15 Patience can persuade a prince,<br>and soft speech can break bones.<br> 16 Do you like honey?<br>Don’t eat too much, or it will make you sick!<br> 17 Don’t visit your neighbors too often,<br>or you will wear out your welcome.<br> 18 Telling lies about others<br>is as harmful as hitting them with an ax,<br>wounding them with a sword,<br>or shooting them with a sharp arrow.<br> 19 Putting confidence in an unreliable person in times of trouble<br>is like chewing with a broken tooth or walking on a lame foot.<br> 20 Singing cheerful songs to a person with a heavy heart<br>is like taking someone’s coat in cold weather<br>or pouring vinegar in a wound.<br> 21 If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat.<br>If they are thirsty, give them water to drink.<br> 22 You will heap burning coals of shame on their heads,<br>and the LORD will reward you.<br> 23 As surely as a north wind brings rain,<br>so a gossiping tongue causes anger!<br> 24 It’s better to live alone in the corner of an attic<br>than with a quarrelsome wife in a lovely home.<br> 25 Good news from far away<br>is like cold water to the thirsty.<br> 26 If the godly give in to the wicked,<br>it’s like polluting a fountain or muddying a spring.<br> 27 It’s not good to eat too much honey,<br>and it’s not good to seek honors for yourself.<br> 28 A person without self-control<br>is like a city with broken-down walls.<br>