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 see.

Argue your case with your neighbor himself [before you go to court];
And do not reveal another’s secret,

Or your hearer may say evil of you, and your shame will not be turned away.

Like apples of gold in settings of silver, so is a word skillfully spoken.

As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.

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.

As clouds and wind without rain,'so is he that boasteth himself of his gifts falsely.

Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.

Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.

A club, a sword, and a sharp arrow that's what a man is who lies about his neighbor.

Putting one's faith in a false man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth and a shaking foot.

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.

For in doing so, you will heap coals of fire upon his head,
And the Lord will reward you.

The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.

It's better to live in a corner on the roof than in a house with a contentious woman.

As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.

As a troubled fountain, and a corrupted spring,'so is a righteous man that giveth way before the wicked.

It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.

Like a city that is broken down and without a wall, so is a person who cannot control his temper.

As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.

As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.

A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.

Answer a fool according to his foolishness, so that he may not be wise in his own eyes.

[Like] cutting off feet [or] drinking violence, so [is] he who sends messages in the hand of a fool.

The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.

As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

As an archer that woundeth all, So is he that hireth a fool and he that hireth them that pass by.

As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.

Do you see a man [who is unteachable and] wise in his own eyes and full of self-conceit?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.

The slacker says, “There’s a lion in the road—
a lion in the public square!”

As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.

The lazy person buries his hand in the dish, but he's too tired to bring it to his mouth again.

A person who is passing by and meddles in a quarrel that’s not his
is like one who grabs a dog by the ears.

Like as one shooteth deadly arrows and darts out of a privy place, even so doth a dissembler with his neighbour.

So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?

Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.

As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.

The words of a whisperer (gossip) are like dainty morsels [to be greedily eaten];
They go down into the innermost chambers of the body [to be remembered and mused upon].

[Like] {impure silver} which overlays an earthen vessel, [so are] smooth lips and an evil heart.

Whosoever's hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be revealed before the whole assembly.

Whoever digs a pit [for another man’s feet] will fall into it,
And he who rolls a stone [up a hill to do mischief], it will come back on him.

Do not make a noise about tomorrow, for you are not certain what a day's outcome may be.

Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; yea, other folk's lips and not thine.

A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool's wrath is heavier than them both.

As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so is a man that wandereth from his place.

Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel.

Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother's house in the day of thy calamity: for better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far off.

Be wise, my son, and bring my heart joy,
so that I can answer anyone who taunts me.

A sensible person sees danger and takes cover;
the inexperienced keep going and are punished.

Take his garment, for he gives surety [to] a stranger, and to {an adulteress}--[so] take his pledge.

A friend's loud blessing early in the morning will be thought of as a curse.

Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.

As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man.

Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.

As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise.

See that thou know the number of thy cattle thy self, and look well to thy flocks.

there will be enough goat’s milk for your food—
food for your household
and nourishment for your female servants.

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By the transgression of a land many are its princes,
But by a man of understanding and knowledge, so it endures.

Better [to be] poor and walking in one's integrity than to be crooked of ways when one [is] rich.

He that hideth his sins, shall not prosper; but who so knowledgeth them and forsaketh them, shall have mercy.

As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.

One who has been the cause of a man's death will go in flight to the underworld: let no man give him help.

It is not good to have respect for a man's position: for a man will do wrong for a bit of bread.

He who is ever desiring wealth goes running after money, and does not see that need will come on him.

The one who robs his father or mother
and says, “That’s no sin,”
is a companion to a man who destroys.

When the righteous are increased, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man beareth rule, the people sigh.

The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: the LORD gave them both eyes with which to see.

When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.

Do you see a [conceited] man who speaks quickly [offering his opinions or answering without thinking]?
There is more hope for a [thickheaded] fool than for him.

A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.

Being a partner with a thief is hating one's life; a curse he will hear, but not disclose.

Many seek the ruler's favour; but every man's judgment cometh from the LORD.

The words of Agur son of Jakeh. The oracle.

The man’s oration to Ithiel, to Ithiel and Ucal:

Truly I am more stupid than any one; and I have not a man's intelligence.

I have not got wisdom by teaching, so that I might have the knowledge of the Holy One.

Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell?

Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.

Do not say evil of a servant to his master, or he will put a curse on you, and you will get into trouble.

There is a generation whose eyes are so lofty, and whose eyelids are lifted up disdainfully.

A generation, its teeth swords, and its biter's teeth, knives, to devour the poor from the land, and the needy from man.

The horseleach hath two daughters, crying, Give, give. There are three things that are never satisfied, yea, four things say not, It is enough:

Sheol and barrenness of womb, the land is not satisfied [with] water, and fire does not say "enough!"

Whoso laugheth his father to scorn, and setteth his mother's commandment at naught; the ravens pick out his eyes in the valley, and devoured be he of the young Eagles.

The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a maid.

So is the way of an adulterous woman; She eateth, and wipeth her mouth, And saith, I have done no wickedness.

A hated woman when she is married; and a servant-girl who takes the place of her master's wife.

The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in king's palaces.

There are three things whose steps are good to see, even four whose goings are fair:

If thou be so foolish to magnify thyself, or meddlest with any such thing, then lay thine hand upon thy mouth.

Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.

What should I say, my son?
What, son of my womb?
What, son of my vows?

It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; Nor for princes to say , Where is strong drink?

Let him drink so that he can forget his poverty
and remember his trouble no more.

The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

She is like the merchant ships [abounding with treasure];
She brings her [household’s] food from far away.

And she riseth while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and the day's work to her maidens.

She is unafraid of winter's effect on her household, because all of them are warmly clothed.

Her husband is known in the [city’s] gates,
When he sits among the elders of the land.