1 T hese are also the proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied:

These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied:

2 I t is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the glory of kings is to search out a thing.

It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.

3 A s the heavens for height and the earth for depth, so the hearts and minds of kings are unsearchable.

As the heavens for height and the earth for depth, So the heart of kings is unsearchable.

4 T ake away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the silversmith.

Take away the dross from silver, And it will go to the silversmith for jewelry.

5 T ake away the wicked from before the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation).

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

6 B e not forward (self-assertive and boastfully ambitious) in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men;

Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king, And do not stand in the place of the great;

7 F or better it is that it should be said to you, Come up here, than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince, whose eyes have seen you.

For it is better that he say to you, “Come up here,” Than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince, Whom your eyes have seen.

8 R ush not forth soon to quarrel, lest you know not what to do in the end when your neighbor has put you to shame.

Do not go hastily to court; For what will you do in the end, When your neighbor has put you to shame?

9 A rgue your cause with your neighbor himself; discover not and disclose not another’s secret,

Debate your case with your neighbor, And do not disclose the secret to another;

10 L est he who hears you revile you and bring shame upon you and your ill repute have no end.

Lest he who hears it expose your shame, And your reputation be ruined.

11 A word fitly spoken and in due season is like apples of gold in settings of silver.

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold In settings of silver.

12 L ike an earring or nose ring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise reprover to an ear that listens and obeys.

Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold Is a wise rebuker to an obedient ear.

13 L ike the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to those who send him; for he refreshes the life of his masters.

Like the cold of snow in time of harvest Is a faithful messenger to those who send him, For he refreshes the soul of his masters.

14 W hoever falsely boasts of gifts is like clouds and wind without rain.

Whoever falsely boasts of giving Is like clouds and wind without rain.

15 B y long forbearance and calmness of spirit a judge or ruler is persuaded, and soft speech breaks down the most bonelike resistance.

By long forbearance a ruler is persuaded, And a gentle tongue breaks a bone.

16 H ave you found honey? Eat only as much as is sufficient for you, lest, being filled with it, you vomit it.

Have you found honey? Eat only as much as you need, Lest you be filled with it and vomit.

17 L et your foot seldom be in your neighbor’s house, lest he become tired of you and hate you.

Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, Lest he become weary of you and hate you.

18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a heavy sledgehammer and a sword and a sharp arrow.

A man who bears false witness against his neighbor Is like a club, a sword, and a sharp arrow.

19 C onfidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth or a foot out of joint.

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

20 H e who sings songs to a heavy heart is like him who lays off a garment in cold weather and like vinegar upon soda.

Like one who takes away a garment in cold weather, And like vinegar on soda, Is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.

21 I f your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;

If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;

22 F or in doing so, you will heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord will reward you.

For so you will heap coals of fire on his head, And the Lord will reward you.

23 T he north wind brings forth rain; so does a backbiting tongue bring forth an angry countenance.

The north wind brings forth rain, And a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.

24 I t is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than to share a house with a disagreeing, quarrelsome, and scolding woman.

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

25 L ike cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.

As cold water to a weary soul, So is good news from a far country.

26 L ike a muddied fountain and a polluted spring is a righteous man who yields, falls down, and compromises his integrity before the wicked.

A righteous man who falters before the wicked Is like a murky spring and a polluted well.

27 I t is not good to eat much honey; so for men to seek glory, their own glory, causes suffering and is not glory.

It is not good to eat much honey; So to seek one’s own glory is not glory.

28 H e who has no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down and without walls.

Whoever has no rule over his own spirit Is like a city broken down, without walls.