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

• ²It is the glory of God to conceal a thing,
• but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.

• ³As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth,
• so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.

• ⁴Take away the dross from the silver,
• and material comes out for the refiner;

• ⁵Take away the wicked from the king’s presence,
• and his throne will be established in righteousness.

• ⁶Don’t exalt yourself in the presence of the king,
• or claim a place among great men;

• ⁷for 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.

• ⁸Don’t be hasty in bringing charges to court.
• What will you do in the end when your neighbor shames you?
• ⁹Debate your case with your neighbor,
• and don’t betray the confidence of another;
• ¹⁰lest one who hears it put you to shame,
• and your bad reputation never depart.

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

• ¹²As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold,
• so is a wise reprover to an obedient ear.

• ¹³As 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.

• ¹⁴As clouds and wind without rain,
• so is he who boasts of gifts deceptively.

• ¹⁵By patience a ruler is persuaded.
• A soft tongue breaks the bone.

• ¹⁶Have you found honey?
• Eat as much as is sufficient for you,
• lest you eat too much, and vomit it.

• ¹⁷Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house,
• lest he be weary of you, and hate you.

• ¹⁸A man who gives false testimony against his neighbor
• is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.

• ¹⁹Confidence in someone unfaithful in time of trouble
• is like a bad tooth, or a lame foot.

• ²⁰As one who takes away a garment in cold weather,
• or vinegar on soda,
• so is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.

• ²¹If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat.
• If he is thirsty, give him water to drink:

• ²²for you will heap coals of fire on his head,
• and Yahweh will reward you.

• ²³The north wind brings forth rain:
• so a backbiting tongue brings an angry face.

• ²⁴It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop,
• than to share a house with a contentious woman.

• ²⁵Like cold water to a thirsty soul,
• so is good news from a far country.

• ²⁶Like a muddied spring, and a polluted well,
• so is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.

• ²⁷It is not good to eat much honey;
• nor is it honorable to seek one’s own honor.

• ²⁸Like a city that is broken down and without walls
• is a man whose spirit is without restraint.