1 These are also proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah transcribed.
2 The glory of God is to conceal a thing; but the honor of kings is to search out a matter.
3 The heavens for height, and the earth for depth, but the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4 Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the refiner.
5 Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
6 Do not claim honor for yourself in the presence of the king, and do not stand in the place of the great;
7 for it is better that it should 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 Do not be quick to start a quarrel, lest you know not what to do in the end of it, when your neighbor has put you to shame.
9 Debate your case with your neighbor, and do not disclose the secret to another,
10 lest he who hears it put you to shame, and your bad reputation never go away.
11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
12 As a ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover to an attentive ear.
13 Like 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 A man boasting himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.
15 In being slow to anger a ruler is persuaded, and a soft tongue breaks the bone.
16 Have you found honey? Eat only as much as is enough for you, lest you be filled to excess and vomit it.
17 Seldom set foot in your neighbors house, lest he be weary of you and hate you.
18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a club, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
19 Trust in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
20 Like one who takes away a garment in cold weather, and like vinegar on soda, so is he who sings songs to a heavy heart.
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
22 for you shall heap coals of fire upon his head, and Jehovah will reward you.
23 The north wind wrings out rain; so does an angry face a slanderous tongue.
24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than to share a house with a contentious woman.
25 Like cold waters to a weary soul, so is good news from a distant land.
26 A righteous man who totters before the wicked is like a fouled spring and a polluted well.
27 It is not good to eat much honey; so, to search out ones own glory is not glory.
28 He who has no rule over his own spirit is like a broken down city without walls.