1 T hese also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied:

These are also the proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied:

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 glory of God to conceal a thing, but the glory of kings is to search out a thing.

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 hearts and minds of kings are unsearchable.

4 T ake away the dross from silver, And it will go to the silversmith for jewelry.

Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the silversmith.

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

Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation).

6 D o not exalt yourself in the presence of the king, And do not stand in the place of the great;

Be not forward (self-assertive and boastfully ambitious) in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men;

7 F or 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.

For better it is that it should be said to you, Come up here, than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince, whose eyes have seen you.

8 D o not go hastily to court; For what will you do in the end, When your neighbor has put you to shame?

Rush not forth soon to quarrel, lest you know not what to do in the end when your neighbor has put you to shame.

9 D ebate your case with your neighbor, And do not disclose the secret to another;

Argue your cause with your neighbor himself; discover not and disclose not another’s secret,

10 L est he who hears it expose your shame, And your reputation be ruined.

Lest he who hears you revile you and bring shame upon you and your ill repute have no end.

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

A word fitly spoken and in due season is like apples of gold in settings of silver.

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

Like an earring or nose ring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise reprover to an ear that listens and obeys.

13 L ike 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.

Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to those who send him; for he refreshes the life of his masters.

14 W hoever falsely boasts of giving Is like clouds and wind without rain.

Whoever falsely boasts of gifts is like clouds and wind without rain.

15 B y long forbearance a ruler is persuaded, And a gentle tongue breaks a bone.

By long forbearance and calmness of spirit a judge or ruler is persuaded, and soft speech breaks down the most bonelike resistance.

16 H ave you found honey? Eat only as much as you need, Lest you be filled with it and vomit.

Have you found honey? Eat only as much as is sufficient for you, lest, being filled with it, you vomit it.

17 S eldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, Lest he become weary of you and hate you.

Let your foot seldom be in your neighbor’s house, lest he become tired of you and hate you.

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

A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a heavy sledgehammer and a sword and a sharp arrow.

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

Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth or a foot out of joint.

20 L ike one who takes away a garment in cold weather, And like vinegar on soda, Is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.

He who sings songs to a heavy heart is like him who lays off a garment in cold weather and like vinegar upon soda.

21 I f your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he is 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 so you will heap coals of fire on his head, And the Lord will reward you.

For in doing so, you will heap coals of fire upon his head, 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 forth rain; so does a backbiting tongue bring forth an angry countenance.

24 I t is better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.

It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than to share a house with a disagreeing, quarrelsome, and scolding woman.

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

Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.

26 A righteous man who falters before the wicked Is like a murky spring and a polluted well.

Like a muddied fountain and a polluted spring is a righteous man who yields, falls down, and compromises his integrity before the wicked.

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

It is not good to eat much honey; so for men to seek glory, their own glory, causes suffering and is not glory.

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

He who has no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down and without walls.