1
These are also proverbs[H4912] of Solomon[H8010], which the men[H582] of Hezekiah[H2396]king[H4428] of Judah[H3063] copied out[H6275].
2
It is the glory[H3519] of God[H430] to conceal[H5641] a thing[H1697]: but the honour[H3519] of kings[H4428] is to search out[H2713] a matter[H1697].
3
The heaven[H8064] for height[H7312], and the earth[H776] for depth[H6011], and the heart[H3820] of kings[H4428] is unsearchable[H2714].
4
Take away[H1898] the dross[H5509] from the silver[H3701], and there shall come forth[H3318] a vessel[H3627] for the finer[H6884].
5
Take away[H1898] the wicked[H7563] from before[H6440] the king[H4428], and his throne[H3678] shall be established[H3559] in righteousness[H6664].
6
Put not forth[H1921] thyself in the presence[H6440] of the king[H4428], and stand[H5975] not in the place[H4725] of great[H1419] men:
7
For better[H2896] it is that it be said[H559] unto thee, Come up[H5927] hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower[H8213] in the presence[H6440] of the prince[H5081] whom thine eyes[H5869] have seen[H7200].
8
Go not forth[H3318]hastily[H4118] to strive[H7378], lest thou know not what to do[H6213] in the end[H319] thereof, when thy neighbour[H7453] hath put thee to shame[H3637].
9Debate[H7378] thy cause[H7379] with thy neighbour[H7453] himself; and discover[H1540] not a secret[H5475] to another[H312]:
10
Lest he that heareth[H8085] it put thee to shame[H2616], and thine infamy[H1681] turn not away[H7725].
11
A word[H1697]fitly[H212]spoken[H1696] is like apples[H8598] of gold[H2091] in pictures[H4906] of silver[H3701].
12
As an earring[H5141] of gold[H2091], and an ornament[H2481] of fine gold[H3800], so is a wise[H2450]reprover[H3198] upon an obedient[H8085]ear[H241].
13
As the cold[H6793] of snow[H7950] in the time[H3117] of harvest[H7105], so is a faithful[H539]messenger[H6735] to them that send[H7971] him: for he refresheth[H7725] the soul[H5315] of his masters[H113].
14Whoso[H376]boasteth[H1984] himself of a false[H8267]gift[H4991] is like clouds[H5387] and wind[H7307] without rain[H1653].
15
By long[H753]forbearing[H639] is a prince[H7101]persuaded[H6601], and a soft[H7390]tongue[H3956]breaketh[H7665] the bone[H1634].
16
Hast thou found[H4672]honey?[H1706]eat[H398] so much as is sufficient[H1767] for thee, lest thou be filled[H7646] therewith, and vomit[H6958] it.
17Withdraw[H3365] thy foot[H7272] from thy neighbour's house[H1004]; lest he be weary[H7646] of thee, and so hate[H8130] thee.
18
A man[H376] that beareth[H6030]false[H8267]witness[H5707] against his neighbour[H7453] is a maul[H4650], and a sword[H2719], and a sharp[H8150]arrow[H2671].
19Confidence[H4009] in an unfaithful man[H898] in time[H3117] of trouble[H6869] is like a broken[H7465]tooth[H8127], and a foot[H7272] out of joint[H4154].
20
As he that taketh away[H5710] a garment[H899] in cold[H7135]weather[H3117], and as vinegar[H2558] upon nitre[H5427], so is he that singeth[H7891]songs[H7892] to an heavy[H7451]heart[H3820].
21
If thine enemy[H8130] be hungry[H7457], give him bread[H3899] to eat[H398]; and if he be thirsty[H6771], give him water[H4325] to drink[H8248]:
22
For thou shalt heap[H2846] coals of fire[H1513] upon his head[H7218], and the LORD[H3068] shall reward[H7999] thee.
23
The north[H6828]wind[H7307] driveth away[H2342]rain[H1653]: so doth an angry[H2194]countenance[H6440] a backbiting[H5643]tongue[H3956].
24
It is better[H2896] to dwell[H3427] in the corner[H6438] of the housetop[H1406], than with a brawling[H4079]woman[H802] and in a wide[H2267]house[H1004].
25
As cold[H7119]waters[H4325] to a thirsty[H5889]soul[H5315], so is good[H2896]news[H8052] from a far[H4801]country[H776].
26
A righteous[H6662] man falling down[H4131]before[H6440] the wicked[H7563] is as a troubled[H7515]fountain[H4599], and a corrupt[H7843]spring[H4726].
27
It is not good[H2896] to eat[H398]much[H7235]honey[H1706]: so for men to search[H2714] their own glory[H3519] is not glory[H3519].
28He[H376] that hath no rule[H4623] over his own spirit[H7307] is like a city[H5892] that is broken down[H6555], and without walls[H2346].