1 These too are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah transcribed.
2 It is God's glory to hide a thing, and the glory of kings to investigate a thing.
3 Like the heavens in height and the earth in depth, the heart of kings cannot be searched out.
4 Remove the dross from silver, and out comes a vessel for the silversmith;
5 remove the wicked from the king's presence, and his throne will be made firm by righteousness.
6 Do not exalt yourself before the king, or take your stand where the great men stand;
7 for it is better to be told, "Come up here," than to be humbled before a noble whom your eyes have seen.
8 Do not rush out to go to court, for what will you do at the end, when your neighbor has put you to shame?
9 Argue out your dispute with your neighbor, but do not give away someone else's secret,
10 or whoever hears it will put you to shame, and the slander against you will never go away.
11 Golden apples in silver settings: such is a word aptly spoken.
12 A gold earring and an ornament of fine gold: such is a wise man's correction to an ear that listens.
13 Like the coolness of snow in the harvest season is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him; he revives the soul of his masters.
14 Clouds and wind but no rain: such is a man who brags of a gift he never gives.
15 With patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a soft tongue can break a bone.
16 If you find honey, eat just what you need, or you will be stuffed with it and throw it up.
17 Set foot in your neighbor's house only rarely, or he will grow weary of you and hate you.
18 A war club, a sword or a sharp arrow: such is a man who testifies falsely against his neighbor.
19 A bad tooth and a slipping foot: such is reliance on the faithless in a time of trouble.
20 Like one who strips off his coat on a cold day, like vinegar poured on soda, is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
21 If your enemy is hungry, feed him bread, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
22 for you will be heaping burning coals on his head, and the LORD will repay you.
23 The north wind gives birth to rain, and a sly tongue to angry looks.
24 Better to live on a corner of the rooftop than in a shared house with a quarrelsome wife.
25 Cold water to a weary soul: such is good news from a distant land.
26 A trampled spring, a fouled well: such is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
27 Eating too much honey is not good, so to seek one's own glory is not glory.
28 A city breached and without walls: such is a man who has no restraint over his spirit.