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

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 thing.

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

3 T he heavens for height, and the earth for depth, and 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 the great;

Do not claim honor in the presence of the king, And do not stand in the place of great men;

7 f or 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 see.

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 what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour 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 neighbour, but reveal 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 disgrace thee, and thine evil report turn not away.

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

11 a pples of gold in pictures of silver, is a word spoken in season.

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

12 A n ear-ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, is a wise reprover upon an attentive 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, 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 C louds and wind without rain, is a man that boasteth himself of a false gift.

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

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

19 A broken tooth, and a tottering foot, is confidence in an unfaithful in the day of trouble.

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

20 h e that taketh off a garment in cold weather, vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to a sad 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 shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and Jehovah shall 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, and the angry countenance a backbiting tongue.

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

24 I t is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a contentious woman, and a house in common.

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

25 c old 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 troubled fountain, and a defiled well, is a righteous 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; and to search into weighty matters is a weight.

It is not good to eat much honey, Nor is it glory to search out one’s own glory.

28 H e that hath no rule over his own spirit is a city broken down, without walls.

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