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

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 thing, 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 hearts of kings are 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 the silver, and material comes out for the refiner;

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

5 T ake away the wicked from the king’s presence, 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 on’t exalt yourself in the presence of the king, or claim a place among great men;

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 it be said 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 on’t be hasty in bringing charges to court. What will you do in the end when your neighbor shames you?

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 don’t betray the confidence of another;

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

10 l est one who hears it put you to shame, and your bad reputation never depart.

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 A s an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover 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 A s the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so 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 A s clouds and wind without rain, so is he who boasts of gifts deceptively.

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

15 B y patience a ruler is persuaded. A soft tongue breaks the 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 as much as is sufficient for you, lest you eat too much, and vomit it.

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

17 L et your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house, lest he be 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 gives false testimony against his neighbor is like a club, a sword, or 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 someone unfaithful in time of trouble is like a bad tooth, or a lame foot.

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

20 A s one who takes away a garment in cold weather, or vinegar on soda, so 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 food to eat. 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 you will heap coals of fire on his head, and Yahweh 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 produces rain: so a backbiting tongue brings an angry face.

The north wind brings forth rain; so does a backbiting tongue bring forth an angry countenance.

24 I t is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than to share a house 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 L ike cold water to a thirsty 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 L ike a muddied spring, and a polluted well, so is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.

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; nor is it honorable to seek one’s own honor.

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

28 L ike a city that is broken down and without walls is a man whose spirit is without restraint.

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