Similitudes and Instructions

1These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, transcribed.

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

But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.

3As the heavens for height and the earth for depth,

So the heart of kings is unsearchable.

4Take away the [a]impurities from the silver,

And there comes out a vessel for the smith;

5Take away the wicked before the king,

And his throne will be established in righteousness.

6Do not boast in the presence of the king,

And do not stand in the same place [b]as great people;

7For it is better that it be said to you, “Come up here,”

Than for you to be placed lower in the presence of the prince,

Whom your eyes have seen.

8Do not go out hastily to [c]argue your case;

[d]Otherwise, what will you do in [e]the end,

When your neighbor humiliates you?

9[f]Argue your case with your neighbor,

And do not reveal the secret of another,

10Or one who hears it will put you to shame,

And the evil report about you will not [g]pass away.

11Like apples of gold in settings of silver,

Is a word spoken at [h]the proper time.

12Like [i]an earring of gold and a jewelry piece of fine gold,

Is a wise person who offers rebukes to a listening ear.

13Like the cold of snow in the [j]time of harvest

Is a faithful messenger to those who send him,

For he refreshes the soul of his masters.

14Like clouds and wind without rain

Is a person who boasts [k]of his gifts falsely.

15Through [l]patience a ruler may be persuaded,

And a gentle tongue breaks bone.

16Have you found honey? Eat only [m]what you need,

So that you do not have it in excess and vomit it.

17Let your foot rarely be in your neighbor’s house,

Or he will become [n]weary of you and hate you.

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

Is a person who gives false testimony against his neighbor.

19Like a bad tooth and [o]an unsteady foot

Is confidence in a treacherous person in time of trouble.

20Like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar on [p]soda,

Is one who sings songs to [q]a troubled heart.

21If [r]your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;

And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;

22For you will [s]heap burning coals on his head,

And the LORD will reward you.

23The north wind brings rain,

And a [t]gossiping tongue brings an angry face.

24It is better to live on a corner of the roof,

Than [u]in a house shared with a contentious woman.

25Like cold water to a weary soul,

So is good news from a distant land.

26Like a trampled spring and a [v]polluted well,

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

27It is not good to eat much honey,

Nor is it glory to search out [w]one’s own glory.

28Like a city that is broken into and without walls

So is a person who has no self-control over his spirit.