1These also, are proverbs of Solomon,—which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah transcribed.
2The glory of God, is to conceal a thing, but, the glory of kings, is to search out a thing.
3The heavens for height, and the earth for depth, but, the heart of kings, cannot be searched.
4Remove the dross from the silver, and there cometh forth, to the refiner, a vessel:
5Remove a lawless man from before the king, that his throne, may be established in righteousness.
6Do not honour thyself before a king, nor, in the place of great men, do thou stand;
7For better it be said to thee, Come up hither,—than that thou be put lower down before a noble, whom thine own eyes, have beheld.
8Do not go forth to strive in haste,—lest [thou know not] what to do in the latter end thereof, when thy neighbour, hath put thee to shame.
9Thy contention, urge thou with thy neighbour, and, the secret of another, do not reveal:
10Lest he that heareth expose thee, and, the report concerning thee, turn not away.
11Golden fruit in figured silver baskets, is a word spoken on fitting occasion.
12A ring of gold, and a vessel of precious metal, is a wise reprover, on a hearing ear.
13As the cold of snow in the day of harvest, is a faithful messenger to them who send him,—when, the life of his masters, he restoreth.
14Clouds and wind, when rain there is none, is the man who boasteth himself of a pretended gift.
15By long patience, is a judge persuaded, and, a soft tongue, breaketh the bone.
16Honey having found, eat to suffice thee, lest thou loathe it, and vomit it forth.
17Withhold thy foot from the house of thy neighbour,—lest he be weary of thee, and hate thee.
18A hammer and a sword, and a sharpened arrow, is a man becoming a false witness against his neighbour.
19A broken tooth and a faltering foot, is confidence in the treacherous, in the day of danger.
20As splendour of dress on a cold day—vinegar upon nitre, so is a singer with songs, unto a sad heart.
21If he that hateth thee hunger, give him bread to eat, and, if he be thirsty, give him water to drink;
22For, burning coals, shalt thou be heaping upon his head,—and, Yahweh, will repay thee.
23A north wind, bringeth forth rain, and, a face stirred with indignation, a secretive tongue.
24Better to dwell on the corner of the roof, than a quarrelsome wife, and a house in common.
25As cold water to a thirsty soul, so is a good report from a far country.
26A fountain fouled, a spring spoiled, is a righteous man tottering before one who is lawless.
27To eat honey in abundance, is not good, nor is, searching out their own honour, an honourable thing.
28A city broken down without a wall, is a man who hath no control over his own spirit.