More Proverbs of Solomon

25 These also are mproverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied.

2  It is the glory of God to nconceal things,

but the glory of kings is to osearch things out.

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

so the heart of kings is punsearchable.

4  Take away qthe dross from the silver,

and rthe smith has material for a vessel;

5  take away sthe wicked from the presence of the king,

and his tthrone 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 uit 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  wdo not hastily bring into court,1

for2 what will you do in the end,

when your neighbor puts you to shame?

9  xArgue 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  yA word fitly spoken

is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.

12  Like za gold ring or an ornament of gold

is a wise reprover to aa listening ear.

13  Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest

is ba faithful messenger to those who send him;

he refreshes the soul of his masters.

14  Like cclouds and wind without rain

is a man who dboasts of a gift he does not give.

15  With epatience a ruler may be persuaded,

and a soft tongue will break a bone.

16  If you have ffound honey, eat gonly 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 hbears false witness against his neighbor

is like a war club, or ia 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 jsings songs to a heavy heart

is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day,

and like vinegar on soda.

21  kIf your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat,

and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,

22  for you will heap lburning coals on his head,

and the Lord will reward you.

23  The north wind brings forth rain,

and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.

24  mIt is better to live in a corner of the housetop

than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.

25  Like cold water to na thirsty soul,

so is ogood news from a far country.

26  Like pa muddied spring or a polluted fountain

is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.

27  It is qnot good to eat much honey,

nor is it glorious to rseek one’s own glory.3

28  A man swithout self-control

is like ta city broken into and left without walls.