1Also these are the proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah the king of Judah have collected.
2It is the honor of God to conceal a thing; but the honor of kings is to search out a matter.
3As are the heavens for height, and the earth is for depth, so should the heart of kings be unsearchable.
4Take away the dross from the silver, and there will come forth a vessel for the melter.
5Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne will be firmly established in righteousness.
6Do not glorify thyself in the presence of the king, and force thyself not into the place of great men;
7For better it is that it be said unto thee, “Come up hither,” than that thou shouldst be put lower in the presence of the prince, which thy own eyes have [often] seen.
8Do not proceed to a contest hastily, lest [thou know not] what thou wilt have to do at its end, when thy neighbor hath put thee to confusion.
9Carry on thy cause with thy neighbor; but lay not open the secret of another:
10Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thy infamy never be removed.
11Like apples of gold among figures of silver is a word spoken in a proper manner.
12As an earring of gold, and a pendant of fine gold, so is a wise reprover toward an ear that listeneth.
13As the cooling of snow on a harvest-day, so is a faithful messenger to those that send him; for he refresheth the soul of his master.
14Like clouds and wind without rain, so is a man that vaunteth falsely of a gift.
15By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh bones.
16Hast thou found honey: eat so much as is sufficient for thee: lest thou consume too much of it, and have to vomit it forth.
17Make thy foot scarce in the house of thy friend: lest he have too much of thee, and so hate thee.
18A battle-axe, and a sword, and a sharpened arrow is a man that testifieth as a false witness against his neighbor.
19Like a broken tooth and a foot out of joint, is confidence in a treacherous man in a time of distress.
20[As] he that taketh off his garment on a cold day, [as] vinegar is upon natron: so is he that singeth songs before an unhappy heart.
21If thy enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink;
22For though thou gatherest coals of fire upon his head, yet will the Lord repay it unto thee.
23The north wind bringeth forth rain: so doth secret talking, angry countenances.
24It is better to dwell in the corner of a roof, than with a quarrelsome woman even in a roomy house.
25As cold water is to a fainting soul, so are good news from a far-off country.
26Like a turbid spring and a corrupt fountain, is a righteous man that giveth way before the wicked.
27To eat too much honey is not good: so is it honor to set a limit to men's honor.
28Like a city that is broken in, and is without walls: so is the man that hath no control over his spirit.