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

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

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 matter.

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 heart of kings is 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 cometh forth a vessel for the refiner:

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 shall be established in righteousness.

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

Put not thyself forward 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 is it 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 have seen.

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

Go not forth hastily to strive, Lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, When thy neighbor hath put thee to shame.

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

Debate thy cause with thy neighbor himself, And disclose not the secret of another;

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

Lest he that heareth it revile thee, And thine infamy turn not away.

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

A word fitly spoken Is like apples of gold in network of silver.

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

As an ear-ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, So is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.

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.

As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, So is a faithful messenger to them that send him; For he refresheth the soul of his masters.

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

As clouds and wind without rain, So is he that boasteth himself of his gifts falsely.

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

By long forbearing is a ruler persuaded, And a soft tongue breaketh the bone.

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

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

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

Let thy foot be seldom in thy neighbor's house, Lest he be weary of thee, and hate thee.

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

A man that beareth false witness against his neighbor Is a maul, 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, and 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.

As one that taketh off a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon soda, So is he that singeth songs to a heavy heart.

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

If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he be 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 thou wilt heap coals of fire upon his head, And Jehovah will reward thee.

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

The north wind bringeth forth rain: So doth a backbiting tongue 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 with a contentious woman in a wide house.

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

As cold waters 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.

As a troubled fountain, and a corrupted spring, So is a righteous man that giveth way 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 search out their own glory is grievous.

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

He whose spirit is without restraint Is like a city that is broken down and without walls.