1 THESE ARE ALSO PARABLES of Salomon, which the men of Hezekiah King of Iudah copied out. 2 The glorie of God is to conceale a thing secret: but the Kings honour is to search out a thing. 3 The heaues in height, and the earth in deepenes, and the Kings heart can no man search out. 4 Take the drosse from the siluer, and there shall proceede a vessell for the finer. 5 Take away the wicked from the King, and his throne shall be stablished in righteousnes. 6 Boast not thy selfe before the King, and stand not in the place of great men. 7 For it is better, that it be saide vnto thee, Come vp hither, then thou to be put lower in the presece of the prince whom thine eyes haue seene. 8 Goe not foorth hastily to strife, least thou know not what to doe in the ende thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame. 9 Debate thy matter with thy neighbour, and discouer not the secret to another, 10 Least he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamie doe not cease. 11 A word spoken in his place, is like apples of golde with pictures of siluer. 12 He that reprooueth the wise, and the obedient eare, is as a golden earering and an ornament of fine golde. 13 As the colde of the snowe in the time of haruest, so is a faithfull messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soule of his masters. 14 A man that boasteth of false liberalitie, is like cloudes and winde without raine. 15 A Prince is pacified by staying of anger, and a soft tongue breaketh the bones. 16 If thou haue found hony, eate that is sufficient for thee, least thou be ouerfull, and vomit it. 17 Withdrawe thy foote from thy neighbours house, least he be weary of thee, and hate thee. 18 A man that beareth false witnes against his neighbour, is like an hammer and a sword, and a sharpe arrowe. 19 Confidence in an vnfaythfull man in time of trouble, is like a broken tooth and a sliding foote. 20 Hee that taketh away the garment in the colde season, is like vineger powred vpon nitre, or like him that singeth songs to an heauy heart. 21 If hee that hateth thee be hungry, giue him bread to eate, and if he be thirstie, giue him water to drinke. 22 For thou shalt lay coles vpon his head, and the Lord shall recompense thee. 23 As the Northwinde driueth away the raine, so doeth an angry countenance the slandering tongue. 24 It is better to dwell in a corner of the house top, then with a contentious woman in a wide house. 25 As are the colde waters to a weary soule, so is good newes from a farre countery. 26 A righteous man falling downe before the wicked, is like a troubled well, and a corrupt spring. 27 It is not good to eate much hony: so to search their owne glory is not glory. 28 A man that refraineth not his appetite, is like a citie which is broken downe and without walles.
More of Solomon's Proverbs
1 Here are more of Solomon's proverbs, copied by scribes at the court of King Hezekiah of Judah.
2 We honor God for what he conceals; we honor kings for what they explain.
3 You never know what a king is thinking; his thoughts are beyond us, like the heights of the sky or the depths of the ocean.
4 Take the impurities out of silver and the artist can produce a thing of beauty. 5 Keep evil advisers away from the king and his government will be known for its justice.
6 When you stand before the king, don't try to impress him and pretend to be important. 7 It is better to be asked to take a higher position than to be told to give your place to someone more important.
8 Don't be too quick to go to court about something you have seen. If another witness later proves you wrong, what will you do then?
9 If you and your neighbor have a difference of opinion, settle it between yourselves and do not reveal any secrets. 10 Otherwise everyone will learn that you can't keep a secret, and you will never live down the shame.
11 An idea well-expressed is like a design of gold, set in silver.
12 A warning given by an experienced person to someone willing to listen is more valuable than gold rings or jewelry made of the finest gold.
13 A reliable messenger is refreshing to the one who sends him, like cold water in the heat of harvest time.
14 People who promise things that they never give are like clouds and wind that bring no rain.
15 Patient persuasion can break down the strongest resistance and can even convince rulers.
16 Never eat more honey than you need; too much may make you vomit. 17 Don't visit your neighbors too often; they may get tired of you and come to hate you.
18 A false accusation is as deadly as a sword, a club, or a sharp arrow.
19 Depending on an unreliable person in a crisis is like trying to chew with a loose tooth or walk with a crippled foot.
20 Singing to a person who is depressed is like taking off a person's clothes on a cold day or like rubbing salt in a wound.
21 If your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them a drink. 22 You will make them burn with shame, and the Lord will reward you.
23 Gossip brings anger just as surely as the north wind brings rain.
24 Better to live on the roof than share the house with a nagging wife.
25 Finally hearing good news from a distant land is like a drink of cold water when you are dry and thirsty.
26 A good person who gives in to someone who is evil reminds you of a polluted spring or a poisoned well.
27 Too much honey is bad for you, and so is trying to win too much praise.
28 If you cannot control your anger, you are as helpless as a city without walls, open to attack.