Proverbs

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.

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 among 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 neighbor shames you?

9Debate your case with your neighbor,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 spokenis 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 neighbor’s house,lest he be weary of you, and hate you.

18A man who gives false testimony against his neighboris like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.

19Confidence in someone unfaithful in time of troubleis 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 housetopthan 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 honorable to seek one’s own honor.

28Like a city that is broken down and without wallsis a man whose spirit is without restraint.