1These are also proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah transcribed. 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 unsearchable. 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 claim honor for yourself 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 be quick to start a quarrel, lest you know not what to do in the end of it, when your neighbor has put you to shame. 9Debate your case with your neighbor, and do not disclose the secret to another, 10lest he who hears it put you to shame, and your bad reputation never go away. 11A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. 12As a ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover to an attentive ear. 13Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to those who send him; for he refreshes the soul of his masters. 14A man boasting himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain. 15In being slow to anger a ruler is persuaded, and a soft tongue breaks the bone. 16Have you found honey? Eat only as much as is enough for you, lest you be filled to excess and vomit it. 17Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, lest he be weary of you and hate you. 18A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a club, and a sword, and a sharp arrow. 19Trust in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint. 20Like one who takes away a garment in cold weather, and like vinegar on 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 Jehovah will reward you. 23The north wind wrings out rain; so does an angry face a slanderous tongue. 24It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than to share a house with a contentious woman. 25Like cold waters to a weary soul, so is good news from a distant land. 26A righteous man who totters before the wicked is like a fouled spring and a polluted well. 27It is not good to eat much honey; so, to search out one’s own glory is not glory. 28He who has no rule over his own spirit is like a broken down city without walls.