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

2 ¶ It is the glory of God to conceal the word, but the honour of kings is to search out the word.

3 F or the height of the heavens and depth of the earth and for the heart of kings, there is no investigation.

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

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

6 ¶ Do not praise thyself in the presence of the king, and do not stand in the place of great men;

7 f or it is better that it be said unto thee, Come up here than that thou should be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.

8 ¶ Do not go forth hastily to strive lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof when thy neighbour has put thee to shame.

9 D ebate thy cause with thy neighbour himself and do not uncover the secret to another

10 l est he that hears it put thee to shame and thine infamy not turn away.

11 ¶ A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold inscribed with silver.

12 A s an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold, so is he who reproves a wise man who has a docile ear.

13 ¶ As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to those that send him, for he refreshes the soul of his master.

14 ¶ Whosoever boasts in a gift of falsehood is like clouds and wind without rain.

15 ¶ By long forbearing a prince is persuaded, and a soft tongue breaks the bones.

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

17 ¶ Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour’s house lest he be weary of thee and so hate thee.

18 ¶ A man that bears false witness against his neighbour is a maul and a sword and a sharp arrow.

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

20 ¶ As he that takes away a garment in cold weather and as vinegar upon soap, so is he that sings songs to a heavy heart.

21 ¶ If thy 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 the LORD shall reward thee.

23 ¶ The north wind drives away rain, so does an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.

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

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

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

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

28 ¶ The man whose spirit has no restraint is like a city that is broken down and without walls.