Veritable King James Version
1These are the proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, transcribed.
2It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the honor of kings to search it out.
3Like the heavens for height and the earth for depth, so is the heart of kings—unsearchable.
4Remove the dross from silver, and a vessel emerges for the refiner.
5Remove the wicked from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness.
6Do not exalt yourself before the king, nor stand in the place of nobles.
7Better to be told, “Come up here,” than to be humbled before the prince. What your eyes see,
8do not hastily bring to judgment, lest you regret it when your neighbor shames you.
9Argue your case with your neighbor privately, and do not reveal another’s secret,
10lest one who hears it curse you, and your disgrace not fade.
11A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
12Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear.
13Like the coolness of snow on a harvest day is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.
14Like clouds and wind without rain is one who boasts of gifts never given.
15With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
16Have you found honey? Eat only what you need, lest you have too much and vomit.
17Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, lest they tire of you and hate you.
18Like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow is one who bears false witness against a neighbor.
19Like a broken tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in times of trouble.
20Like one who removes a garment on a cold day or pours vinegar on a wound is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
21If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,
22for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.
23The north wind brings rain, and a sly tongue an angry face.
24Better to dwell in a corner of a roof than in a house shared with a contentious woman.
25Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land.
26Like a muddied spring or a polluted well is a righteous person who yields before the wicked.
27To eat too much honey is not good, nor is it honorable to seek one’s own glory.
28Like a city breached, without walls, is a person who lacks self-control. Proverbs 26 The Book of Proverbs, Chapter 26 – Veritable King James Version
Translation notes
Verse 1’s mishlei Shlomo (“proverbs of Solomon”) indicates authorship, with “transcribed” rendering he’etiqu (lit. “copied out”), reflecting Hezekiah’s scribal compilation (cf. 2 Chronicles 29:30 for Hezekiah’s literary efforts). Verse 2’s “conceal” (sater) and “search out” (chaqar) contrast divine mystery with human inquiry, theologically affirming God’s sovereignty and human responsibility; cross-reference Deuteronomy 29:29. In verse 3, “unsearchable” (ein cheqer) underscores the complexity of royal motives, paralleling divine inscrutability (cf. Romans 11:33). Verse 4’s “dross” (sigu) and “vessel” (keli) form a metallurgical metaphor for purification, applicable to moral refinement. Verse 5 extends this, with “wicked” (rasha) implying corrupt advisors; “established in righteousness” (tikkon ba-tsedeq) reflects divine justice stabilizing governance (cf. Proverbs 16:12). No significant Dead Sea Scrolls variants (e.g., 4Q103) affect this section; Masoretic Text is stable.
Verse 6’s “exalt yourself” (titpa’er, from pa’ar, “glorify”) warns against self-promotion, with “nobles” rendering gedolim (lit. “great ones”). Verse 7’s “Come up here” translates aleh henna, reflecting social elevation; theologically, humility precedes honor (cf. Luke 14:10). In verse 8, “hastily” (maher) and “judgment” (riv, “dispute”) caution against rash litigation, with “shames” (kalam) implying public reproach. Verse 9’s “privately” infers from riv and context, emphasizing discretion; cross-reference Matthew 18:15 for private conflict resolution. Verse 10’s “curse” (qalal) and “disgrace” (dibbah, lit. “bad report”) warn of reputational harm. Theologically, these verses promote humility and discretion in social interactions. No notable Dead Sea Scrolls variants affect this section.
Verse 11’s “fitly spoken” renders al-ofnayw (lit. “on its wheels”), suggesting timeliness and appropriateness; “apples of gold” (tappuchei zahav) may denote oranges or citruses, vivid imagery; cross-reference Proverbs 15:23. Verse 12’s “wise reprover” (mokiyach chakam) and “listening ear” (ozen shoma’at) emphasize receptive wisdom. Verse 13’s “coolness of snow” (tsinnat-sheleg) evokes rare refreshment in harvest heat, with “soul” (nefesh) denoting emotional vitality; cross-reference Proverbs 13:17. Verse 14’s “clouds and wind without rain” metaphorically depict empty promises, with “boasts” (mithallel) implying false generosity; cf. Jude 12. Theologically, these verses highlight the value of timely words and faithful service. No significant Dead Sea Scrolls variants noted.
Verse 15’s “patience” (orek appayim, lit. “length of nostrils”) denotes forbearance, with “gentle tongue” (lashon rak) implying soft speech; “break a bone” is hyperbolic for persuasive power (cf. Proverbs 16:14). Verse 16’s “honey” (devash) symbolizes abundance, with “vomit” (qayah) warning against excess; cross-reference Proverbs 25:27. Verse 17’s “seldom” infers from yaqar (lit. “make precious”), urging moderation in visits to avoid “hate” (sane). Verse 18’s “club, sword, sharp arrow” (mephats, cherev, chets) depict destructive false testimony; cross-reference Exodus 20:16. Verse 19’s “broken tooth” and “lame foot” (shen nishberet, regel ma’adah) illustrate unreliable support; cf. Psalm 55:12–14. Theologically, these verses emphasize patience, moderation, and integrity. No notable Dead Sea Scrolls variants affect this section.
Verse 20’s “vinegar on a wound” translates chomets al-nater, likely soda or lye, aggravating pain; “heavy heart” (lev ra) denotes sorrow, making songs inapt (cf. Ecclesiastes 3:4). Verse 21’s “enemy” (sone) and provision of “bread” and “water” reflect radical generosity; cross-reference Exodus 23:4–5. Verse 22’s “burning coals” (gechalim) may imply shame or repentance, not literal harm, with divine reward (YHWH yishallem) affirming God’s justice (cf. Romans 12:20). Verse 23’s “north wind” (tsafon) and “sly tongue” (lashon seter) evoke inevitable consequences, with “angry face” (panim niz’amim) indicating disapproval. Theologically, these verses advocate empathy, kindness to enemies, and the consequences of speech. No significant Dead Sea Scrolls variants noted.
Verse 24’s “contentious woman” (ishshah midyanim) reflects domestic strife, with “corner of a roof” (pinat gag) indicating isolation as preferable; cross-reference Proverbs 21:9. Verse 25’s “cold water” (mayim qarim) and “weary soul” (nefesh ayeifah) evoke refreshment; “good news” (shemu’ah tovah) implies rare, valued reports (cf. Proverbs 15:30). Verse 26’s “muddied spring” (ma’ayan nirpas) and “polluted well” (be’er nishchat) depict compromised integrity; “yields” (mote) suggests wavering under pressure (cf. Psalm 1:3–4). Verse 27 echoes verse 16, with “honey” symbolizing excess and “seek one’s own glory” (kavod kaved) warning against pride; cf. Proverbs 27:2. Verse 28’s “city breached” (ir perutsah) and “without walls” illustrate vulnerability due to lack of “self-control” (mosar ruach, lit. “restraint of spirit”). Theologically, these verses emphasize peace, integrity, and discipline. No notable Dead Sea Scrolls variants affect this section.
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