Proverbs of Solomon Collected by Hezekiah

1These also are proverbs of Solomon,

which the men of King Hezekiah of Judah copied:

2It is the glory of God to conceal a matter,

and it is the glory of a king to search out a matter.

3As the heaven is high and the earth is deep

so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.

4Remove the dross from the silver,

and material for the silversmith will emerge;

5remove the wicked from before the king,

and his throne will be established in righteousness.

6Do not honor yourself before the king,

and do not stand in the place of great men;

7for it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,”

than to put you lower before a prince,

whom your eyes have seen.

8Do not go out hastily to litigation,

or what will you do afterward

when your neighbor puts you to shame?

9When you argue a case with your neighbor,

do not reveal the secret of another person,

10lest the one who hears it put you to shame

and your infamy will never go away.

11Like apples of gold in settings of silver,

so is a word skillfully spoken.

12Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold,

so is a wise reprover to the ear of the one who listens.

13Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest,

so is a faithful messenger to those who send him,

for he refreshes the heart of his masters.

14Like cloudy skies and wind that produce no rain,

so is the one who boasts of a gift not given.

15Through patience a ruler can be persuaded,

and a soft tongue can break a bone.

16When you find honey, eat only what is sufficient for you,

lest you become stuffed with it and vomit it up.

17Don’t set foot too frequently in your neighbor’s house,

lest he become weary of you and hate you.

18Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow,

so is the one who testifies against his neighbor as a false witness.

19Like a bad tooth or a foot out of joint,

so is confidence in an unfaithful person at the time of trouble.

20Like one who takes off a garment on a cold day,

or like vinegar poured on soda,

so is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.

21If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat,

and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,

22for you will heap coals of fire on his head,

and the Lord will reward you.

23The north wind brings forth rain,

and a gossiping tongue brings forth an angry look.

24It is better to live on a corner of the housetop

than in a house in company with a quarrelsome wife.

25Like cold water to a weary person,

so is good news from a distant land.

26Like a muddied spring and a polluted well,

so is a righteous person who gives way before the wicked.

27It is not good to eat too much honey,

nor is it honorable for people to seek their own glory.

28Like a city that is broken down and without a wall,

so is a person who cannot control his temper.