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

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

2 I t is the glory of God to conceal a thing; But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.

It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.

3 A s the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, So the heart of kings is unsearchable.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

7 F or 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.

For 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.

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

Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.

13 A s 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.

As 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.

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

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

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

By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.

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

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

17 L et thy foot be seldom in thy neighbor's house, Lest he be weary of thee, and hate thee.

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

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

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

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

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

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

As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.

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

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

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

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

23 T he north wind bringeth forth rain: So doth a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

27 I t is not good to eat much honey: So for men to search out their own glory is grievous.

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

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

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