1 These also are *See ch. 1:1proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied.

2 It is the glory of God to *[Deut. 29:29;Rom. 11:33] conceal things,

but the glory of kings is to *Job 29:16search things out.

3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth,

so the heart of kings is *[Ps. 145:3]unsearchable.

4 Take away *[Ezek. 22:18;2 Tim. 2:20,21] the dross from the silver,

and *[Mal. 3:2,3]the smith has material for a vessel;

5 take away *[ch. 20:8] the wicked from the presence of the king,

and his *See ch. 16:12throne will be established in righteousness.

6 Do not put yourself forward in the king’s presence

or stand in the place of the great,

7 for *See Luke 14:8-11it is better to be told, "Come up here,"

than to be put lower in the presence of a noble.

What your eyes have seen

8 *Matt. 5:25;Luke 12:58;[ch. 17:14]do not hastily bring into court,*25:8 Or presence of a noble, as your eyes have seen. 8Do not go hastily out to court

for*25:8 Hebrew or else what will you do in the end,

when your neighbor puts you to shame?

9 *Matt. 18:15Argue your case with your neighbor himself,

and do not reveal another’s secret,

10 lest he who hears you bring shame upon you,

and your ill repute have no end.

11 *ch. 15:23;[Isa. 50:4]A word fitly spoken

is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.

12 Like *[Gen. 24:22] a gold ring or an ornament of gold

is a wise reprover to *ch. 15:31;20:12a listening ear.

13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest

is *ch. 13:17a faithful messenger to those who send him;

he refreshes the soul of his masters.

14 Like *Jude 12clouds and wind without rain

is a man who *ch. 20:6boasts of a gift he does not give.

15 With *ch. 15:1;16:14;[Eccles. 10:4]patience a ruler may be persuaded,

and a soft tongue will break a bone.

16 If you have *[Judg. 14:8;1 Sam. 14:25] found honey, eat *[ver. 27]only enough for you,

lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.

17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house,

lest he have his fill of you and hate you.

18 A man who *[ch. 24:28] bears false witness against his neighbor

is like a war club, or *ch. 12:18;See Ps. 57:4a sword, or a sharp arrow.

19 Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble

is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.

20 Whoever *[Rom. 12:15]sings songs to a heavy heart

is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day,

and like vinegar on soda.

21 *Cited Rom. 12:20;[2 Kgs. 6:22;2 Chr. 28:15]; See Ex. 23:4, 5If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat,

and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,

22 for you will heap *Ps. 140:10burning coals on his head,

and the Lord will reward you.

23 The north wind brings forth rain,

and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.

24 *ch. 21:9It is better to live in a corner of the housetop

than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.

25 Like cold water to *[Ps. 42:2] a thirsty soul,

so is *ch. 15:30good news from a far country.

26 Like *[Ezek. 32:2;34:18,19]a muddied spring or a polluted fountain

is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.

27 It is *[ver. 16] not good to eat much honey,

nor is it glorious to *[ch. 27:2]seek one’s own glory.*25:27 The meaning of the Hebrew line is uncertain

28 A man *[ch. 16:32] without self-control

is like *[2 Chr. 32:5;36:19;Neh. 1:3]a city broken into and left without walls.