1 ¶ 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.
