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 mind 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 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 is 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, 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 who 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 corrupter upon an obedient ear.
13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to those who send him: for he brings benefit to the mind 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, and vomit it.
17 Withdraw your foot from your neighbor's house; lest he be weary of you, and so hate you.
18 A man that bears false witness against his neighbor is a scattering club 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 who takes away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon carbonate of soda, so is he who sings songs to a 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 upon his head, and Jehovah 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 person, 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 who has no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.