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

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

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 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 heart of kings is 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 cometh forth a vessel for the refiner:

Take away the dross from the silver, And there comes out a vessel for the smith;

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

Take away the wicked before the king, And his throne will 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:

Do not claim honor in the presence of the king, And do not stand 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 it is better that it be said to you, “Come up here,” Than for you to be placed lower in the presence of the prince, Whom your 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.

Do not go out hastily to argue your case; Otherwise, what will you do in the end, When your neighbor humiliates you?

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

Argue your case with your neighbor, And do not reveal the secret of another,

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

Or he who hears it will reproach you, And the evil report about you will not pass away.

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

Like apples of gold in settings of silver Is a word spoken in right circumstances.

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

Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold Is a wise reprover to a listening 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.

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

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

Like clouds and wind without rain Is a man who boasts of his gifts falsely.

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

By forbearance a ruler may be persuaded, And a soft tongue breaks the bone.

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

Have you found honey? Eat only what you need, That you not have it in excess and vomit it.

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

Let your foot rarely be in your neighbor’s house, Or he will become weary of you and hate you.

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

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

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

Like a bad tooth and an unsteady foot Is confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble.

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.

Like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar on soda, Is he who sings songs to a troubled heart.

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

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

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

For you will heap burning coals on his head, And the Lord will reward you.

23 T he north wind bringeth forth rain: So doth a backbiting tongue 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 with a contentious woman in a wide house.

It is better to live in a corner of the roof Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.

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

Like cold water to a weary soul, So is good news from a distant land.

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

Like a trampled spring and a polluted well Is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.

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, Nor is it glory to search out one’s own glory.

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

Like a city that is broken into and without walls Is a man who has no control over his spirit.