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 dross 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 claim honor in the presence of the king, And do not stand in the place of great men; 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 argue your case; Otherwise, what will you do in the end, When your neighbor humiliates you? ⁹Argue your case with your neighbor, And do not reveal the secret of another, ¹⁰Or he who hears it will reproach you, And the evil report about you will not pass away. ¹¹Like apples of gold in settings of silver Is a word spoken in right circumstances. ¹²Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold Is a wise reprover to a listening ear. ¹³Like the cold of snow in the 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 man who boasts of his gifts falsely. ¹⁵By forbearance a ruler may be persuaded, And a soft tongue breaks the bone. ¹⁶Have you found honey? Eat only what you need, That you not have it in excess and vomit it. ¹⁷Let your foot rarely be in your neighbor's house, Or he will become weary of you and hate you. ¹⁸Like a club and a sword and a sharp arrow Is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor. ¹⁹Like a bad tooth and an unsteady foot Is confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble. ²⁰Like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar on soda, Is he who sings songs to a troubled heart. ²¹If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; ²²For you will heap burning coals on his head, And the LORD will reward you. ²³The north wind brings forth rain, And a backbiting tongue, an angry countenance. ²⁴It is better to live in a corner of the roof Than 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 polluted well Is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked. ²⁷It is not good to eat much honey, Nor is it glory to search out one's own glory. ²⁸Like a city that is broken into and without walls Is a man who has no control over his spirit.

It is not good to eat much honey, Nor is it glory to search out one's own glory. Like a city that is broken into and without walls Is a man who has no control over his spirit. Like snow in summer and like rain in harvest, So honor is not fitting for a fool.