1 These also are the proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah gathered together.
2 It is the honour of God to keep a thing secret; but the king's honour is to search out a thing.
3 The heaven is high, the earth is deep, and the kings' heart is unsearchable.
4 Take the dross from the silver, and there shall be a clean vessel thereof.
5 Take away ungodliness from the king, and his seat shall be established with righteousness.
6 Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and prease not into the place of great men.
7 Better it is that it be said unto thee, "Come up hither," than thou to be set down in the presence of the prince whom thou seest with thine eyes.
8 Be not hasty to go to the law, lest thou knowest not what to do when thy neighbor hath confounded thee.
9 Handle thy matter with thy neighbour himself, and discover not another man's secret:
10 lest when men hear thereof, it turn to thy dishonour, and lest thine evil name do not cease.
11 A word spoken in due season, is like apples of gold in a silver dish.
12 The correction of the wise is, to an obedient ear, a golden chain and a Jewel of gold.
13 Like as the winter cool in the harvest, so is a faithful messenger to him that sent him, and refresheth his master's mind.
14 Whoso maketh great boasts and giveth nothing, is like clouds and wind without rain.
15 With patience may a prince be pacified, and with a soft tongue may rigorousness be broken.
16 If thou findest honey, eat so much as is sufficient for thee; lest thou be overfull, and parbreak it out again.
17 Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house, lest he be weary of thee, and so abhor thee.
18 Whoso beareth false witness against his neighbour, he is a very spear, a sword, and a sharp arrow.
19 The hope of the ungodly in time of need, is like a rotten tooth and a slippery foot.
20 Whoso singeth a song to a heavy heart, clotheth him with rags in the cold, and poureth vinegar upon chalk.
21 If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink;
22 For so shalt thou heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.
23 The north wind driveth away the rain, even so doth an earnest sober countenance a backbiter's tongue.
24 It is better to sit in a corner under the roof, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.
25 A good report out of a far country, is like cold water to a thirsty soul.
26 A righteous man falling down before the ungodly, is like a troubled well and a spring that is destroyed.
27 Like as it is not good to eat too much honey; even so, he that will search out high things, it shall be too heavy for him.
28 He that can not rule himself, is like a city which is broken down, and hath no walls.