1 These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honor of kings is to search out a matter.
3 The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4 Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.
5 Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
6 Put not forth yourself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men:
7 For better it is that it be said to you, Come up here; than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince whom your eyes have seen.
8 Go not forth hastily to strive, lest you know not what to do in the end thereof, when your neighbor has put you to shame.
9 Debate your cause with your neighbor himself; and discover not a secret to another:
10 Lest he that hears it put you to shame, and your infamy turn not away.
11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover on an obedient ear.
13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refreshes the soul of his masters.
14 Whoever boasts himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.
15 By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaks the bone.
16 Have you found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for you, lest you be filled therewith, and vomit it.
17 Withdraw your foot from your neighbor' house; lest he be weary of you, and so hate you.
18 A man that bears false witness against his neighbor is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
20 As he that takes away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar on nitre, so is he that singes songs to an heavy heart.
21 If your enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
22 For you shall heap coals of fire on his head, and the LORD shall reward you.
23 The north wind drives away rain: so does an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.
24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.
25 As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
26 A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.
27 It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.
28 He that has no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
1 These are also proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah transcribed.
2 The glory of God is to conceal a thing; but the honor of kings is to search out a matter.
3 The heavens for height, and the earth for depth, but the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4 Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the refiner.
5 Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
6 Do not claim honor for yourself in the presence of the king, and do not stand in the place of the great;
7 for it is better that it should be said to you, Come up here, than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince whom your eyes have seen.
8 Do not be quick to start a quarrel, lest you know not what to do in the end of it, when your neighbor has put you to shame.
9 Debate your case with your neighbor, and do not disclose the secret to another,
10 lest he who hears it put you to shame, and your bad reputation never go away.
11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
12 As a ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover to an attentive ear.
13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to those who send him; for he refreshes the soul of his masters.
14 A man boasting himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.
15 In being slow to anger a ruler is persuaded, and a soft tongue breaks the bone.
16 Have you found honey? Eat only as much as is enough for you, lest you be filled to excess and vomit it.
17 Seldom set foot in your neighbors house, lest he be weary of you and hate you.
18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a club, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
19 Trust in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
20 Like one who takes away a garment in cold weather, and like vinegar on soda, so is he who sings songs to a heavy heart.
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
22 for you shall heap coals of fire upon his head, and Jehovah will reward you.
23 The north wind wrings out rain; so does an angry face a slanderous tongue.
24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than to share a house with a contentious woman.
25 Like cold waters to a weary soul, so is good news from a distant land.
26 A righteous man who totters before the wicked is like a fouled spring and a polluted well.
27 It is not good to eat much honey; so, to search out ones own glory is not glory.
28 He who has no rule over his own spirit is like a broken down city without walls.