所罗门的箴言（续）
1以下也是所罗门的箴言，由犹大王希西迦的人抄录。
2将事隐藏是上帝的荣耀，
把事查明是君王的光荣。
3天之高，地之厚，
君王的心测不透。
4除掉银子里的渣滓，
银匠就能铸造器皿。
5清除君王身边的恶人，
王位必因公义而巩固。
6不可在王面前妄自尊大，
不要占据大人物的位子。
7与其在权贵面前受羞辱，
不如等人邀请你坐上座。
8不可鲁莽地打官司，
以免败诉、羞愧难当。
9遇到跟邻舍争讼，
不可泄露其秘密，
10免得听见的人辱骂你，
你的恶名将永难洗刷。
11一句话说得合宜，
就像金苹果放在银器里。
12对受教者而言，
智者的责备犹如金耳环和金饰物。
13忠信的使者叫主人心里舒畅，
就像夏收之时有冰雪的凉气。
14夸口送礼物却食言的人，
就像没有雨水的风和云。
15坚忍说服君王，
柔舌折断骨头。
16找到蜂蜜要酌量而食，
免得吃多了呕吐。
17不要频频去邻舍家，
免得惹人烦、遭人厌。
18作伪证陷害邻舍的人，
无异于大锤、刀和利箭。
19危难时投靠奸诈之人，
形同倚靠坏牙和跛脚。
20对忧伤的人唱歌，
如同天寒脱衣、伤口撒盐。
21你的仇敌若饿了，
就给他吃的；
若渴了，就给他水喝；
22因为你这是把炭火堆在他头上，
耶和华必奖赏你。
23北风带来雨水，
谗言激起愤怒。
24宁愿住在屋顶的一角，
不跟争闹的妻子同屋。
25有好消息从远方传来，
如凉水滋润干渴的人。
26义人向恶人低头，
就像清泉被搅浑，
水井受污染。
27蜂蜜吃得太多有害无益，
追求自己的荣耀也不光彩。
28无法自制的人就像被攻破的无墙之城。
1These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
2It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter. 3The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.25.3 is…: Heb. there is no searching
4Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer. 5Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
6Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men:25.6 Put…: Heb. Set not out thy glory 7For 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.
8Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame. 9Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another:25.9 a secret…: or, the secret of 10Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.
11A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.25.11 fitly…: Heb. spoken upon his wheels 12As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear. 13As 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. 14Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.25.14 of a…: Heb. in a gift of falsehood 15By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone. 16Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it. 17Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour’s house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.25.17 Withdraw…: or, Let thy foot be seldom in25.17 weary…: Heb. full of thee 18A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow. 19Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint. 20As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.
21If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: 22For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee. 23The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.25.23 driveth…: or, bringeth forth rain: so doth a backbiting tongue an angry countenance 24It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house. 25As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country. 26A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring. 27It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory. 28He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
