1These too are proverbs of Shelomoh which the men of Ḥizqiyah sovereign of Yehuḏah copied:

2It is the esteem of Elohim to hide a matter, And the esteem of sovereigns to search out a matter.

3The heavens for height and the earth for depth, But the heart of sovereigns is unsearchable.

4Take away the dross from silver, And a vessel comes forth for the refiner.

5Take away the wrong from before the sovereign, And his throne is established in righteousness.

6Do not exalt yourself before a sovereign, And do not stand in the place of great men;

7For it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,” Than that you should be put lower Before a noble whom your eyes have seen.

8Do not go forth to strive in haste, For what would you do in the end, When your neighbour has put you to shame?

9Plead your case with your neighbour himself, And do not disclose the secret of another;

10Lest he who hears it put you to shame, And your evil report turn not back.

11A word spoken at the right time Is like apples of gold in settings of silver.

12A ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, Is a wise one’s reproof to an ear that hears.

13Like the cold of snow in time of harvest Is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him, For he refreshes the life of his masters.

14He who boasts of his gifts falsely Is like clouds and wind without rain.

15Through patience a ruler is persuaded, And a soft tongue shatters a bone.

16Have you found honey? Eat only as much as you need, Lest you be satisfied with it and vomit.

17Make your foot rare in your neighbour’s house, Lest he gets enough of you and hate you.

18A man bearing false witness against his neighbour Is like a club and a sword and a sharp arrow.

19Trust in a treacherous man in time of distress Is like a broken tooth or a foot out of joint.

20One who takes away a garment in cold weather, Is like vinegar on soda, And a singer of songs on an evil heart.

21If your enemy is hungry give him bread to eat, And if he is thirsty give him water to drink,

22For you are heaping coals of fire on his head, And יהוה rewards you.

23The north wind brings rain, And a secret tongue an enraged face.

24It is better to dwell in a corner of a roof, Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.

25Like cold water to a parched throat, Is good news from a distant land.

26A righteous man who gives way before the wrong, Is like a muddied spring and a ruined fountain.

27It is not good to eat much honey. Is it esteem to seek one’s own esteem?

28A man who has no control over his spirit Is like a broken-down city without a wall.