Proverbs

¹These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out. ²It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter. ³As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable. ⁴Take away the dross from the silver, and material comes out for the refiner. ⁵Take away the wicked from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness. ⁶Don’t exalt yourself in the presence of the king, or claim a place among great men; ⁷for it is better that it be said to you, “Come up here,” than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince, whom your eyes have seen. ⁸Don’t be hasty in bringing charges to court. What will you do in the end when your neighbor shames you? ⁹Debate your case with your neighbor, and don’t betray the confidence of another, ¹⁰lest one who hears it put you to shame, and your bad reputation never depart. ¹¹A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. ¹²As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover to an obedient ear. ¹³As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to those who send him; for he refreshes the soul of his masters. ¹⁴As clouds and wind without rain, so is he who boasts of gifts deceptively. ¹⁵By patience a ruler is persuaded. A soft tongue breaks the bone. ¹⁶Have you found honey? Eat as much as is sufficient for you, lest you eat too much, and vomit it. ¹⁷Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house, lest he be weary of you, and hate you. ¹⁸A man who gives false testimony against his neighbor is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow. ¹⁹Confidence in someone unfaithful in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a lame foot. ²⁰As one who takes away a garment in cold weather, or vinegar on soda, so is one who sings songs to a heavy heart. ²¹If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat. 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 produces rain; so a backbiting tongue brings an angry face. ²⁴It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than to share a house with a contentious woman. ²⁵Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country. ²⁶Like a muddied spring and a polluted well, so is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked. ²⁷It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it honorable to seek one’s own honor. ²⁸Like a city that is broken down and without walls is a man whose spirit is without restraint.