¹These also are proverbs of Solomon , which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out .

²It is the glory of God to conceal a thing ,

but the glory of kings is to search out a matter .

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

so the hearts of kings are unsearchable .

⁴Take away the dross from the silver ,

and material comes out for the refiner .

⁵Take away the wicked from the king ’s presence ,

and his throne will be established in righteousness .

⁶Don’t exalt yourself in the presence of the king ,

or claim a place amongst great men ;

⁷for 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 .

⁸Don’t be hasty in bringing charges to court .

What will you do in the end when your neighbour shames you ?

⁹Debate your case with your neighbour ,

and don’t betray the confidence of another ,

¹⁰lest one who hears it put you to shame ,

and your bad reputation never depart.

¹¹A word fitly spoken

is like apples of gold in settings of silver .

¹²As an earring of gold , and an ornament of fine gold ,

so is a wise reprover to an obedient ear .

¹³As 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.

¹⁴As clouds and wind without rain ,

so is he who boasts of gifts deceptively.

¹⁵By patience a ruler is persuaded .

A soft tongue breaks the bone .

¹⁶Have you found honey ?

Eat as much as is sufficient for you ,

lest you eat too much , and vomit it .

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

lest he be weary of you , and hate you .

¹⁸A man who gives false testimony against his neighbour

is like a club , a sword , or a sharp arrow .

¹⁹Confidence in someone unfaithful in time of trouble

is like a bad tooth or a lame foot .

²⁰As one who takes away a garment in cold weather ,

or vinegar on soda ,

so is one who sings songs to a heavy heart .

²¹If your enemy is hungry , give him food to eat .

If he is thirsty , give him water to drink ;

²²for you will heap coals of fire on his head ,

and the LORD will reward you .

²³The north wind produces rain ;

so a backbiting tongue brings an angry face .

²⁴It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop

than to share a house with a contentious woman .

²⁵Like cold water to a thirsty soul ,

so is good news from a far country.

²⁶Like a muddied spring and a polluted well ,

so is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked .

²⁷It is not good to eat much honey ,

nor is it honourable to seek one ’s own honour .

²⁸Like a city that is broken down and without walls

is a man whose spirit is without restraint.