Proverbs

1These are also parables of Solomon, which the men of Ezechias king of Juda copied out.

2It is the glory of God to conceal the word, and the glory of kings to search out the speech.

3The heaven above, and the earth beneath, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.

4Take away the rust from silver, and there shall come forth a most pure vessel:

5Take away wickedness from the face of the king, and his throne shall be established with justice.

6Appear not glorious before the king, and stand not in the place of great men.

7For it is better that it should be said to thee: Come up hither; than that thou shouldst be humbled before the prince.

8The things which thy eyes have seen, utter not hastily in a quarrel: lest afterward thou mayst not be able to make amends, when thou hast dishonoured thy friend.

9Treat thy cause with thy friend, and discover not the secret to a stranger:

10Lest he insult over thee, when he hath heard it, and cease not to upbraid thee. Grace and friendship deliver a man: keep these for thyself, lest thou fall under reproach.

11To speak a word in due time, is like apples of gold on beds of silver.

12As an earring of gold and a bright pearl, so is he that reproveth the wise, and the obedient ear.

13As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to him that sent him, for he refresheth his soul.

14As clouds, and wind, when no rain followeth, so is the man that boasteth, and doth not fulfill his promises.

15By patience a prince shall be appeased, and a soft tongue shall break hardness.

16Thou hast found honey, eat what is sufficient for thee, lest being glutted therewith thou vomit it up.

17Withdraw thy foot from the house of thy neighbour, lest having his fill he hate thee.

18A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour, is like a dart and a sword and a sharp arrow.

19To trust to an unfaithful man in the time of trouble, is like a rotten tooth, and weary foot,

20And one that looseth his garment in cold weather. As vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to a very evil heart. As a moth doth by a garment, and a worm by the wood: so the sadness of a man consumeth the heart.

21If thy enemy be hungry, give him to eat: if he thirst, give him water to drink:

22For thou shalt heap hot coals upon his head, and the Lord will reward thee.

23The north wind driveth away rain, as doth a sad countenance a backbiting tongue.

24It is better to sit in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman, and in a common house.

25As cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good tidings from a far country.

26A just man falling down before the wicked, is as a fountain troubled with the foot, and a corrupted spring.

27As it is not good for a man to eat much honey, so he that is a searcher of majesty, shall be overwhelmed by glory.

28As a city that lieth open and is not compassed with walls, so is a man that cannot refrain his own spirit in speaking.

1These are also 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 honour of kings is to search out a matter.

3The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.

4Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.

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

6Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men:

7For better it is 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 neighbour hath put thee to shame.

9Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another:

10Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.

11A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.

12As an earring 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.

14Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.

15By long forbearing is a prince 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.

17Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour’s house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.

18A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour 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 he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.

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

22For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.

23The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.

24It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.

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

26A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.

27It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.

28He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.