More Proverbs of Solomon
These also are aproverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied.
2 It is the glory of God to aconceal things,
but the glory of kings is to bsearch things out.
3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth,
so the heart of kings is aunsearchable.
4 Take away athe dross from the silver,
and bthe smith has material for a vessel;
5 take away athe wicked from the presence of the king,
and his bthrone will be established in righteousness.
6 Do not put yourself forward in the king’s presence
or stand in the place of the great,
7 for ait is better to be told, “Come up here,”
than to be put lower in the presence of a noble.
What your eyes have seen
8 ado not hastily bring into court,
for what will you do in the end,
when your neighbor puts you to shame?
9 aArgue your case with your neighbor himself,
and do not reveal another’s secret,
10 lest he who hears you bring shame upon you,
and your ill repute have no end.
11 aA word fitly spoken
is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.
12 Like aa gold ring or an ornament of gold
is a wise reprover to ba listening ear.
13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest
is aa faithful messenger to those who send him;
he refreshes the soul of his masters.
14 Like aclouds and wind without rain
is a man who bboasts of a gift he does not give.
15 With apatience a ruler may be persuaded,
and a soft tongue will break a bone.
16 If you have afound honey, eat bonly enough for you,
lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.
17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house,
lest he have his fill of you and hate you.
18 A man who abears false witness against his neighbor
is like a war club, or ba sword, or a sharp arrow.
19 Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble
is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.
20 Whoever asings songs to a heavy heart
is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day,
and like vinegar on soda.
21 aIf your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat,
and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,
22 for you will heap aburning coals on his head,
and the Lord will reward you.
23 The north wind brings forth rain,
and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.
24 aIt is better to live in a corner of the housetop
than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.
25 Like cold water to aa thirsty soul,
so is bgood news from a far country.
26 Like aa muddied spring or a polluted fountain
is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
27 It is anot good to eat much honey,
nor is it glorious to bseek one’s own glory.
28 A man awithout self‑control
is like ba city broken into and left without walls.