1 These [are] also proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
2 The glory of God [is] to hide 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] without searching.
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 founded in righteousness.
6 Do not put yourself forth 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 a noble whom your eyes have seen.
8 Do not go forth quickly to fight, lest [you know not] what to do in the end of it, when your neighbor has put you to shame.
9 Debate your cause with your neighbor; and do not uncover a secret to another,
10 lest he who hears [it] put you to shame, and your evil report turn not away.
11 A word fitly spoken [is like] apples of gold in pictures of silver.
12 [As] a ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, [so is] a wise reprover upon a hearing ear.
13 Like cold snow in the time of harvest, [so is] a faithful messenger to his senders; [for] he makes return [to] his master's soul.
14 A man boasting himself in a false gift [is like] clouds and wind, but no rain.
15 In [being] slow to anger a ruler is won over, 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 with it and vomit it.
17 Withdraw your foot from your neighbor's house, lest he be weary of you and hate you.
18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor [is] a maul, 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 [As] he who takes away a garment in cold weather, [as] vinegar upon niter, [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 the LORD shall reward you.
23 The north wind drives away rain; so [does] an angry face a backbiting tongue.
24 [It is] better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than with a quarreling woman and to share a house.
25 [Like] cold waters to a thirsty soul, [so is] good news from a far country.
26 A righteous man falling down before the wicked [is like] a troubled fountain and a rotten spring.
27 [It is] not good to eat much honey; so [for men] to search their own glory [is not] glory.
28 He who [has] no rule over his own spirit [is like a] broken down city without a wall.