Proverbs

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 heart of kings is unsearchable.

4Take away the dross from the silver, And there cometh forth a vessel for the refiner:

5Take away the wicked from before the king, And his throne shall be established in righteousness.

6Put not thyself forward in the presence of the king, And stand not in the place of great men:

7For better is it that it be said unto thee, Come up hither, Than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince, Whom thine eyes have seen.

8Go not forth hastily to strive, Lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, When thy neighbor hath put thee to shame.

9Debate thy cause with thy neighbor himself, And disclose not the secret of another;

10Lest he that heareth it revile thee, And thine infamy turn not away.

11A word fitly spoken Is like apples of gold in network of silver.

12As an ear-ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, So is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.

13As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, So is a faithful messenger to them that send him; For he refresheth the soul of his masters.

14As clouds and wind without rain, So is he that boasteth himself of his gifts falsely.

15By long forbearing is a ruler persuaded, And a soft tongue breaketh the bone.

16Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, Lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.

17Let thy foot be seldom in thy neighbor’s house, Lest he be weary of thee, and hate thee.

18A man that beareth false witness against his neighbor Is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.

19Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble Is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.

20As one that taketh off a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon soda, So is he that singeth songs to a heavy heart.

21If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:

22For thou wilt heap coals of fire upon his head, And Jehovah will reward thee.

23The north wind bringeth forth rain; So doth a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.

24It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, Than with a contentious woman in a wide house.

25As cold waters to a thirsty soul, So is good news from a far country.

26As a troubled fountain, and a corrupted spring, So is a righteous man that giveth way before the wicked.

27It is not good to eat much honey; So for men to search out their own glory is grievous.

28He whose spirit is without restraint Is like a city that is broken down and without walls.

More Proverbs of Solomon

1These are additional proverbs of Solomon, which were copied by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:

2It is the glory of God to conceal a matterand the glory of kings to search it out.

3As the heavens are high and the earth is deep,so the hearts of kings cannot be searched.

4Remove the dross from the silver,and a vessel for a silversmith will come forth.

5Remove the wicked from the king’s presence,and his throne will be established in righteousness.

6Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king,and do not stand in the place of great men;

7for it is better to be told, “Come up here!”than to be demoted in the presence of the prince. Even whatyou have seen with your own eyes,

8do not bring hastily to court.Otherwise, what will you do in the endwhen your neighbor puts you to shame?

9Argue your case with your neighborwithout betraying another’s confidence,

10lest he who hears you bring shame upon you,and your infamy never go away.

11A word fitly spokenis like apples of gold in settings of silver.

12Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine goldis a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear.

13Like the cold of snow in the time of harvestis a trustworthy messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.

14Like clouds and wind without rainis the man who boasts of gifts never given.

15Through patience a ruler can be persuaded,and a gentle tongue can break a bone.

16If you find honey, eat just what you need,lest you have too much and vomit it up.

17Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house,lest he grow weary and hate you.

18Like a club or sword or sharp arrowis a man who bears false witness against his neighbor.

19Like a broken tooth or a foot out of jointis confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble.

20Like one who removes a garment on a cold dayor vinegar poured on a wound is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.

21If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat,and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.

22For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head,and the LORD will reward you.

23As the north wind brings forth rain,so a backbiting tongue brings angry looks.

24Better to live on a corner of the roofthan to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.

25Like cold water to a weary soulis good news from a distant land.

26Like a muddied spring or a polluted wellis a righteous man who gives way to the wicked.

27It is not good to eat too much honeyor to search out one’s own glory.

28Like a city whose walls are broken downis a man who does not control his temper.