More proverbs of Solomon
1These are more proverbs of Solomon, compiled by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:
2It is the glory of God to conceal a matter;
to search out a matter is the glory of kings.
3As the heavens are high and the earth is deep,
so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
4Remove the dross from the silver,
and a silversmith can produce a vessel;
5remove wicked officials from the king’s presence,
and his throne will be established through righteousness.
6Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence,
and do not claim a place among his great men;
7it is better for him to say to you, ‘Come up here,’
than for him to humiliate you before his nobles.
What you have seen with your eyes
8do not bring25:7,8 Or nobles / on whom you had set your eyes. / 8 Do not go hastily to court,
for what will you do in the end
if your neighbour puts you to shame?
9If you take your neighbour to court,
do not betray another’s confidence,
10or the one who hears it may shame you
and the charge against you will stand.
11Like apples25:11 Or possibly apricots of gold in settings of silver
is a ruling rightly given.
12Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold
is the rebuke of a wise judge to a listening ear.
13Like a snow-cooled drink at harvest time
is a trustworthy messenger to the one who sends him;
he refreshes the spirit of his master.
14Like clouds and wind without rain
is one who boasts of gifts never given.
15Through patience a ruler can be persuaded,
and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
16If you find honey, eat just enough –
too much of it, and you will vomit.
17Seldom set foot in your neighbour’s house –
too much of you, and they will hate you.
18Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow
is one who gives false testimony against a neighbour.
19Like a broken tooth or a lame foot
is reliance on the unfaithful in a time of trouble.
20Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day,
or like vinegar poured on a wound,
is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
21If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;
if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
22In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head,
and the Lord will reward you.
23Like a north wind that brings unexpected rain
is a sly tongue – which provokes a horrified look.
24Better to live on a corner of the roof
than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
25Like cold water to a weary soul
is good news from a distant land.
26Like a muddied spring or a polluted well
are the righteous who give way to the wicked.
27It is not good to eat too much honey,
nor is it honourable to search out matters that are too deep.
28Like a city whose walls are broken through
is a person who lacks self-control.
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.
