These proverbs of Solomon were copied by the men of King Hezekiah. They speak of kings, of the right word at the right time, and of kindness to enemies: if thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat.
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 neighbour's 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 .