1These are also proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out:

2The glory of God is to conceal a thing, but the honor of kings is to search out a matter.

3The heavens for height, and the earth for depth, but the heart of kings is without searching.

4Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the refiner.

5Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.

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

7For it is better that it should 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.

8Do not go forth quickly to fight, lest you know not what to do in the end of it when your neighbor has put you to shame.

9Debate your cause with your neighbor, and do not reveal a secret of another,

10Lest he who hears it put you to shame, and your evil reputation has no end.

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

12As a ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon a hearing ear.

13Like cold snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to his senders, for he refreshes his master's soul.

14A man boasting himself in a false gift is like clouds and wind, but no rain.

15By being patient a ruler is won over, and a soft tongue breaks the bone.

16Have you found honey? Eat only as much as is enough for you, lest you be filled with it and vomit it up.

17Withdraw your foot from your neighbor's house, lest he become weary of you and hate you.

18A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.

19Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth or a foot out of joint.

20As he who takes away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon soda, so is he who sings songs to a heavy heart.

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

22For you shall heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward you.

23As the north wind brings rain, so does an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.

24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than to share a house with a contentious woman.

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

26A righteous man giving way before the wicked is like a troubled fountain and a corrupt spring.

27It is not good to eat much honey; nor is it glory for men to seek their own glory.

28He who has no rule over his own spirit is like a broken down city without a wall.