1 These are also
proverbs of
Solomon, which the
men of
Hezekiah king of
Judah copied
out.
2 It is the
glory of
God to
conceal a
thing: but the
honour of
kings is to search
out a
matter.
3 The
heaven for
height, and the
earth for
depth, and the
heart of
kings is
unsearchable.
4 Take
away the
dross from the
silver, and there shall come
forth a
vessel for the
finer.
5 Take
away the
wicked from
before the
king, and his
throne shall be
established in
righteousness.
6 Put not
forth thyself in the
presence of the
king, and
stand not in the
place of
great men:
7 For
better it is that it be
said unto thee, Come
up hither; than that thou shouldest be put
lower in the
presence of the
prince whom thine
eyes have
seen.
8 Go not
forth hastily to
strive, lest thou know not what to
do in the
end thereof, when thy
neighbour hath put thee to
shame.
9 Debate thy
cause with thy
neighbour himself; and
discover not a
secret to
another:
10 Lest he that
heareth it put thee to
shame, and thine
infamy turn not
away.
11 A
word fitly #
spoken is like
apples of
gold in
pictures of
silver.
12 As an
earring of
gold, and an
ornament of fine
gold, so is a
wise reprover upon an
obedient ear.
13 As the
cold of
snow in the
time of
harvest, so is a
faithful messenger to them that
send him: for he
refresheth the
soul of his
masters.
14 Whoso boasteth himself of a
false gift is like
clouds and
wind without
rain.
15 By
long forbearing is a
prince persuaded, and a
soft tongue breaketh the
bone.
16 Hast thou
found honey?
eat so much as is
sufficient for thee, lest thou be
filled therewith, and
vomit it.
17 Withdraw thy
foot from thy
neighbours house; lest he be
weary of thee, and so
hate thee.
18 A
man that
beareth false witness against his
neighbour is a
maul, and a
sword, and a
sharp arrow.
19 Confidence in an unfaithful
man in
time of
trouble is like a
broken tooth, and a
foot out of
joint.
20 As he that taketh
away a
garment in
cold weather, and as
vinegar upon
nitre, so is he that
singeth songs to an
heavy heart.
21 If thine
enemy be
hungry, give him
bread to
eat; and if he be
thirsty, give him
water to
drink:
22 For thou shalt
heap coals of
fire upon his
head, and the
LORD shall
reward thee.
23 The
north wind driveth
away rain: so doth an
angry countenance a
backbiting tongue.
24 It is
better to
dwell in the
corner of the
housetop, than with a
brawling woman and in a
wide house.
25 As
cold waters to a
thirsty soul, so is
good news from a
far country.
26 A
righteous man falling
down before the
wicked is as a
troubled fountain, and a
corrupt spring.
27 It is not
good to
eat much honey: so for men to
search their own
glory is not
glory.
28 He that hath no
rule over his own
spirit is like a
city that is broken
down, and without
walls.