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| These are also proverbs of Solomon,
which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter. 3 The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable. 4 Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer. 5 Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness. 6 Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men: 7 For better it is 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 Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame. 9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another: 10 Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away. 11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. 12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear. 13 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 Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain. 15 By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone. 16 Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it. 17 Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour’s house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee. 18 A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow. 19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint. 20 As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart. 21 If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: 22 For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee. 23 The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue. 24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house. 25 As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country. 26 A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring. 27 It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory. 28 He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls. |
These are more proverbs of Solomon,
collected by the advisers of King Hezekiah of Judah.
2 It is God’s privilege to conceal things and the king’s privilege to discover them. 3 No one can discover the height of heaven, the depth of the earth, or all that goes on in the king’s mind! 4 Remove the dross from silver, and the sterling will be ready for the silversmith. 5 Remove the wicked from the king’s court, and his reign will be made secure by justice. 6 Don’t demand an audience with the king or push for a place among the great. 7 It is better to wait for an invitation than to be sent to the end of the line, publicly disgraced! Just because you see something, 8 don’t be in a hurry to go to court. You might go down before your neighbors in shameful defeat. 9 So discuss the matter with them privately. Don’t tell anyone else, 10 or others may accuse you of gossip. Then you will never regain your good reputation. 11 Timely advice is as lovely as golden apples in a silver basket. 12 Valid criticism is as treasured by the one who heeds it as jewelry made from finest gold. 13 Faithful messengers are as refreshing as snow in the heat of summer. They revive the spirit of their employer. 14 A person who doesn’t give a promised gift is like clouds and wind that don’t bring rain. 15 Patience can persuade a prince, and soft speech can crush strong opposition. 16 Do you like honey? Don’t eat too much of it, or it will make you sick! 17 Don’t visit your neighbors too often, or you will wear out your welcome. 18 Telling lies about others is as harmful as hitting them with an ax, wounding them with a sword, or shooting them with a sharp arrow. 19 Putting confidence in an unreliable person is like chewing with a toothache or walking on a broken foot. 20 Singing cheerful songs to a person whose heart is heavy is as bad as stealing someone’s jacket in cold weather or rubbing salt in a wound. 21 If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat. If they are thirsty, give them water to drink. 22 You will heap burning coals on their heads, and the Lord will reward you. 23 As surely as a wind from the north brings rain, so a gossiping tongue causes anger! 24 It is better to live alone in the corner of an attic than with a contentious wife in a lovely home. 25 Good news from far away is like cold water to the thirsty. 26 If the godly compromise with the wicked, it is like polluting a fountain or muddying a spring. 27 Just as it is not good to eat too much honey, it is not good for people to think about all the honors they deserve. 28 A person without self-control is as defenseless as a city with broken-down walls. |