1These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah transcribed.
2It is the glory of God to conceal a thing; but the glory of kings is to search out a thing.
3The heavens for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4Take away the dross from the silver, and there cometh forth a vessel for the refiner:
5take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
6Put not thyself forward in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of the great;
7for better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither, than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes see.
8Go not forth hastily to strive, lest [thou know not] what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.
9Debate thy cause with thy neighbour, but reveal not the secret of another;
10lest he that heareth [it] disgrace thee, and thine evil report turn not away.
11[As] apples of gold in pictures of silver, is a word spoken in season.
12An ear-ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, is a wise reprover upon an attentive ear.
13As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, [so] is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.
14Clouds and wind without rain, [so] is a man that boasteth himself of a false gift.
15By long forbearing is a ruler persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
16Hast thou found honey? Eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be surfeited therewith, and vomit it.
17Let thy foot be seldom in thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee and hate thee.
18A maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow, is a man that beareth false witness against his neighbour.
19A broken tooth, and a tottering foot, is confidence in an unfaithful [man] in the day of trouble.
20[As] he that taketh off a garment in cold weather, [and as] vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to a sad heart.
21If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
22for thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and Jehovah shall reward thee.
23The north wind bringeth forth rain, and the angry countenance a backbiting tongue.
24It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a contentious woman, and a house in common.
25[As] cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
26A troubled fountain, and a defiled well, is a righteous [man] that giveth way before the wicked.
27It is not good to eat much honey; and to search into weighty matters is [itself] a weight.
28He that hath no rule over his own spirit is [as] a city broken down, without walls.