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 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 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 silver, And it will go to the silversmith for jewelry.

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 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 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 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 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 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 hastily to court; For what will you do in the end, When your neighbor has put you to shame?

9 D ebate thy cause with thy neighbour, but reveal not the secret of another;

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

10 l est he that heareth disgrace thee, and thine evil report turn not away.

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

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

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

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 rebuker to an obedient 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 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.

Whoever falsely boasts of giving 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 forbearance a ruler is persuaded, And a gentle tongue breaks a 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 as much as you need, Lest you be filled with it and vomit.

17 L et thy foot be seldom in thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee and hate thee.

Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, Lest he 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.

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

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

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

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 away a garment in cold weather, And like vinegar on soda, Is one who sings songs to a 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 your enemy is hungry, give him bread 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 so you will heap coals of fire 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 dwell in a corner of a housetop, 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.

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

26 A troubled fountain, and a defiled well, is a righteous that giveth way 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; and to search into weighty matters is a weight.

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

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

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