1THESE are also profound proverbs of Solomon which the friends of Hezekiah king of Judah wrote.

2It is the glory of God to keep secret a matter; but the glory of the king is to search it out.

3The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of the king is unsearchable.

4Purge dross from silver that it may come forth a pure vessel.

5Let wicked men be driven from the presence of the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.

6Do not glorify yourself in the presence of the king, and do not stand in the place of great men;

7For it is better that it be said to you, Come up higher, than that you should be put lower. In the presence of the ruler report what your eyes have seen.

8Do not go forth hastily to bring a suit, lest when you plead your cause, at the end your neighbor shall reproach you.

9Debate your cause with your neighbor himself; and do not disclose the secret to another,

10Lest he who hears it reproach you and many people mock you.

11A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.

12Like an earring of gold, and a precious sardius, so is the reproof of the wise men to a listening ear.

13Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest, which cools the air, so is a faithful messenger to those who send him; for he refreshes the soul of his masters.

14Like clouds and wind without rain, so is the man who boasts of false gifts.

15By long forbearing, a ruler is persuaded; and a soft tongue breaks the bones.

16When you find honey, eat as much as is sufficient for you, lest you be filled with it and vomit it.

17Do not visit your neighbor's house too frequently, lest he become weary of you and so hate you.

18A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like an iron bar, a sword, and a sharp arrow.

19Like a sore tooth and a foot out of joint, such is the confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble.

20As he who takes away a garment from his neighbor in cold weather, as one who drops sand on the string of a musical instrument, as he who afflicts a broken heart, as a moth on a garment, and as a boring-worm on a tree: such is the effect of sorrow on a man's heart.

21If your enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink;

22For when you shall do these things for him, you will heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD will reward you.

23Like the north wind which brings forth rain, so are an evil countenance and a backbiting tongue.

24It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop than with a quarrelsome wife and a house divided against itself.

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

26Like a stopped fountain or a polluted spring is a righteous man when he falls down before the wicked.

27It is not good to eat much honey, nor to search for high praises for oneself.

28Like a breached city that has no wall, so is a man who is impatient.