More Proverbs of Solomon 1 UDB Here are more wise sayings of Solomon that were written down by the men of Hezekiah the king of Judah. BSB BSB: These are additional proverbs of Solomon, which were copied by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:
3 UDB What kings think is above the way peasants think; they are like the heavens, they are above us all; and all kings have the same deep burdens that others cannot understand. BSB BSB: As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings cannot be searched.
4 UDB Silver cannot be used by the metal worker unless the silver is heated and dross is removed from it; BSB BSB: Remove the dross from the silver, and a vessel for a silversmith will come forth.
5 UDB just as the dross is removed, even so, if wicked men are removed from the king's court, his throne will be more secure and he will be able to do what is right. BSB BSB: Remove the wicked from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness.
6 UDB When you stand in front of a king, do not bring attention to yourself and do not stand in the place set aside for those the king is honoring. BSB BSB: Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king, and do not stand in the place of great men;
7 UDB It is better if someone important invites you, saying, "Come up and sit closer to the king," than to embarrass you in front of an important nobleman by making you move so that you now sit far away from the king. When you witness something that gives you concern, BSB BSB: for it is better to be told, “Come up here!” than to be demoted in the presence of the prince. Even what you have seen with your own eyes,
8 UDB you should not quickly bring the matter to trial unless you are very sure about it, because your neighbor may have a good explanation for what you saw. BSB BSB: do not bring hastily to court. Otherwise, what will you do in the end when your neighbor puts you to shame?
9 UDB If you and your neighbor are having a disagreement, settle it between yourselves and do not tell others any secret you have learned about; BSB BSB: Argue your case with your neighbor without betraying another’s confidence,
10 UDB for others might find out what you have done and you would be ashamed, and from that time on you will have a bad reputation. BSB BSB: lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your infamy never go away.
11 UDB Use the right words and a phrase put together to say exactly what you mean; this is as delightful as seeing designs of gold in a silver bowl. BSB BSB: A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
12 UDB When a wise person rebukes someone who is willing to listen to him, it is as priceless as a gold ring or jewelry made of finest gold. BSB BSB: Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear.
13 UDB A messenger who is reliable and on time gives delight to those who sent him; to them he is like the cold of snow at harvest time that refreshes the ground. BSB BSB: Like 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.
14 UDB When someone boasts about a gift he is going to give but never gives it, he is like the clouds and the wind that do not bring rain. BSB BSB: Like clouds and wind without rain is the man who boasts of gifts never given.
15 UDB With patient persuasion even a ruler's mind can be changed, like the proverb that says, 'a soft tongue can break a bone.' BSB BSB: Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
16 UDB If you find some honey, eat just a little because if you eat too much, you could vomit it up. BSB BSB: If you find honey, eat just what you need, lest you have too much and vomit it up.
17 UDB Do not go to your neighbor's house too often; he may get tired of you, and if you do not stop, he could even grow to hate you. BSB BSB: Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, lest he grow weary and hate you.
18 UDB To falsely accuse others in court is like attacking them with a club used in battle or with a sword or with sharp arrows. BSB BSB: Like a club or sword or sharp arrow is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor.
19 UDB Depending on an unreliable person during times of trouble is like having a bad tooth or a foot that slips and makes you fall. BSB BSB: Like a broken tooth or a foot out of joint is confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble.
20 UDB Singing a song to someone who is feeling sad— it is as unhelpful as taking off a coat on a very cold day or pouring vinegar into soda, making it bubble. BSB BSB: Like one who removes a garment on a cold day or vinegar poured on a wound is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
21 UDB If your enemy is hungry, give him something to eat; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; BSB BSB: If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
22 UDB that will cause his conscience to burn and Yahweh will reward you for doing that. BSB BSB: For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.
23 UDB When wind blows from the north, it will certainly rain; it is just as certain that someone who tells secrets about others will make people angry. BSB BSB: As the north wind brings forth rain, so a backbiting tongue brings angry looks.
24 UDB It is better to live alone in the corner of a housetop than inside a house with a wife who always wants to argue with you. BSB BSB: Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
25 UDB When you receive news from a faraway country, that is like giving cold water to a person who is thirsty. BSB BSB: Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land.
26 UDB A good person who falls before wicked people— that is as bad as a spring that becomes muddied or a fountain that becomes polluted. BSB BSB: Like a muddied spring or a polluted well is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked.
27 UDB It is not good to eat too much honey; that is like searching for more honor when you already have honor. BSB BSB: It is not good to eat too much honey or to search out one’s own glory.
28 UDB A person who cannot control himself is like a city with no way to keep out enemies; its walls have fallen down. BSB BSB: Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who does not control his temper.
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.