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

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

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

5 T ake away the wicked from 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 exalt yourself in the presence of the king, And do not stand in the place of the great;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 rebuker to an obedient 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 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 W hoever falsely boasts of giving Is like clouds and wind without rain.

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

15 B y long forbearance a ruler is persuaded, And a gentle tongue breaks a 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 as much as you need, Lest you be filled with it and vomit.

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

17 S eldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, Lest he 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 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor Is like a club, a sword, and a sharp arrow.

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

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 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 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 bread 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 so you will heap coals of fire 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 dwell in a corner of a housetop, 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 A s cold water to a weary soul, So is good news from a far country.

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

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

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; So to seek one’s own glory is not glory.

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

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

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