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

These also are wise sayings of Solomon, which were written down by the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah.

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

It is the greatness of God to keep things hidden, but it is the greatness of kings to find things out.

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

As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the heart of kings is more than can be known.

4 T ake away the dross from the silver, And there comes out a vessel for the smith;

Take away the waste from the silver, and a silver pot comes out for the workman.

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

Take the sinful away from the king, and his throne will stand on what is right and good.

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

Do not honor yourself in front of the king, and do not stand in the place of great men.

7 F or 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.

For it is better to be told, “Come up here,” than to be put down in front of the ruler whom your eyes have seen.

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

Do not go out in a hurry to argue. Or what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame?

9 A rgue your case with your neighbor, And do not reveal the secret of another,

Argue your side of the problem with your neighbor, but do not tell the secret of another.

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

Or he who hears you may put you to shame, and bad things will be said about you forever.

11 L ike apples of gold in settings of silver Is a word spoken in right circumstances.

A word spoken at the right time is like fruit of gold set in silver.

12 L ike an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold Is a wise reprover to a listening ear.

A wise man speaking strong words to a listening ear is like a piece of gold for the ear and a beautiful object of fine gold.

13 L ike 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.

A faithful man who carries news is like the cold of snow at gathering time to those who send him, for he makes the spirit of his owners feel new again.

14 L ike clouds and wind without rain Is a man who boasts of his gifts falsely.

A man who talks much of a gift he never gives is like clouds and wind without rain.

15 B y forbearance a ruler may be persuaded, And a soft tongue breaks the bone.

When one is slow to anger, a ruler may be won over. A gentle tongue will break a bone.

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

Have you found honey? Eat only what you need, or you may become filled with it and spit it up.

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

Do not let your foot be in your neighbor’s house too much, or he may become tired of you and hate you.

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

A man who tells a lie against his neighbor is like a heavy stick or a sword or a sharp arrow.

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

In time of trouble, trusting in a man who is not faithful is like a bad tooth or a foot out of joint.

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

He who sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a coat on a cold day, or like sour wine poured on soda.

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

If the one who hates you is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him water.

22 F or you will heap burning coals on his head, And the Lord will reward you.

If you do that, you will be making him more ashamed of himself, and the Lord will reward you.

23 T he north wind brings forth rain, And a backbiting tongue, an angry countenance.

The north wind brings rain, and a tongue that hurts people brings angry looks.

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

It is better to live in a corner of the roof than in a house shared with an arguing woman.

25 L ike cold water to a weary soul, So is good news from a distant land.

Good news from a land far away is like cold water to a tired soul.

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

A man who does what is right but gives way in front of the sinful, is like a well of mud or poisoned water.

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

It is not good to eat much honey, and looking for honor is not good.

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

A man who cannot rule his own spirit is like a city whose walls are broken down.