1 These also are 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 glory of kings is to search out a matter.
3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth,
so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
4 Take away the dross from the silver,
and material comes out for the refiner.
5 Take away the wicked from the king’s presence,
and his throne will be established in righteousness.
6 Don’t exalt yourself in the presence of the king,
or claim a place among great men;
7 for it is better that it be 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 Don’t be hasty in bringing charges to court.
What will you do in the end when your neighbor shames you?
9 Debate your case with your neighbor,
and don’t betray the confidence of another,
10 lest one who hears it put you to shame,
and your bad reputation never depart.
11 A word fitly spoken
is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold,
so is a wise reprover to 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 refreshes the soul of his masters.
14 As clouds and wind without rain,
so is he who boasts of gifts deceptively.
15 By patience a ruler is persuaded.
A soft tongue breaks the bone.
16 Have you found honey?
Eat as much as is sufficient for you,
lest you eat too much, and vomit it.
17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house,
lest he be weary of you, and hate you.
18 A man who gives false testimony against his neighbor
is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.
19 Confidence in someone unfaithful in time of trouble
is like a bad tooth or a lame foot.
20 As one who takes away a garment in cold weather,
or vinegar on soda,
so is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat.
If he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
22 for you will heap coals of fire on his head,
and Yahweh will reward you.
23 The north wind produces rain;
so a backbiting tongue brings an angry face.
24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop
than to share a house with a contentious woman.
25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul,
so is good news from a far country.
26 Like a muddied spring and a polluted well,
so is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
27 It is not good to eat much honey,
nor is it honorable to seek one’s own honor.
28 Like a city that is broken down and without walls
is a man whose spirit is without restraint.
1 以下也是所罗门的箴言， 是犹大王希西家的人抄录的：
2 把事隐藏， 是 神的荣耀； 把事察清， 是君王的光荣。
3 人不知天有多高， 地有多厚， 君王的心也照样测不透。
4 除去银子的渣滓， 银匠就可以做出器皿；
5 除去君王面前的坏人， 他的王位就可以靠公义坚立。
6 你在君王面前， 不可妄自尊大； 也不可擅自站立在大人物中间。
7 宁可让人对你说： "请上座！ "胜过在你觐见的显贵面前， 被人叫你退下去。
8 不可轻率出去与人争讼； 否则， 你的邻舍若使你受辱， 结果你要怎么办呢？
9 如果有纷争， 只与你的邻舍一人争论好了； 不可揭发别人的秘密，
10 恐怕听见的人辱骂你， 你的恶名就不能脱掉。
11 一句话说得合宜， 就像金苹果镶在银的器物上。
12 智慧人的责备在听从的人耳中， 好像金耳环和精金的饰物。
13 忠信的使者对那些差遣他的人来说， 好像在收割的时候， 有冰雪的凉气， 使主人精神舒畅。
14 空夸送礼却没有实行的人， 就像无雨的风云。
15 恒久忍耐可以劝服掌权的人， 柔和的舌头， 可以折断骨头。
16 你找到蜂蜜， 吃够就好了； 免得吃得过多， 就呕吐出来。
17 你的脚要少进邻舍的家； 免得他厌烦你， 就憎恶你。
18 作假见证陷害邻舍的人， 就像大锤、快刀和利箭。
19 遭遇灾难的时候， 倚靠奸诈的人， 就像倚靠坏牙和不稳的脚。
20 对着悲伤的心灵唱歌， 就像冷天脱衣服， 又像碱上倒酸。
21 如果你的仇敌饿了， 就给他食物吃； 如果渴了， 就给他水喝，
22 因为你这样作， 就是把炭火堆在他的头上， 耶和华必还报你。
23 北风带来雨水； 暗中毁谤人的舌头， 使人怒容满面。
24 宁可住在房顶的一角， 也不跟吵闹的妇人同住一间房屋。
25 来自远方的好消息， 好像疲乏的人得喝凉水。
26 义人在恶人面前屈服， 好像混浊了的水泉、污染了的水井。
27 吃蜜过多是不好的； 追寻自己的荣耀， 也是不好的。
28 人若不控制自己的心， 就像没有城墙， 毁坏了的城一样。