These also are aproverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah, transcribed.
2It is the glory of God to aconceal a matter, But the glory of bkings is to search out a matter.
3As the heavens for height and the earth for depth, So the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4Take away the adross from the silver, And there comes out a vessel for the bsmith;
5Take away the awicked before the king, And his bthrone will be established in righteousness.
6Do not claim honor in the presence of the king, And do not stand in the place of great men;
7For ait is better that it be said to you, "Come up here," Than for you to be placed lower in the presence of the prince, Whom your eyes have seen.
8Do not go out ahastily to 1argue your case; 2Otherwise, what will you do in 3the end, When your neighbor humiliates you?
91 aArgue your case with your neighbor, And bdo not reveal the secret of another,
10Or he who hears it will reproach you, And the evil report about you will not 1pass away.
11Like apples of gold in settings of silver Is a aword spoken in 1right circumstances.
12Like 1an aearring of gold and an bornament of cfine gold Is a wise reprover to a dlistening ear.
13Like the cold of snow in the 1time of harvest Is a afaithful messenger to those who send him, For he refreshes the soul of his masters.
14Like aclouds and bwind without rain Is a man who boasts 1of his gifts falsely.
15By 1 aforbearance a ruler may be persuaded, And a soft tongue breaks the bone.
16Have you afound honey? Eat only 1what you need, That you not have it in excess and vomit it.
17Let your foot rarely be in your neighbor's house, Or he will become 1weary of you and hate you.
18Like a club and a asword and a sharp barrow Is a man who bears cfalse witness against his neighbor.
19Like a bad tooth and 1an unsteady foot Is confidence in a afaithless man in time of trouble.
20Like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar on 1soda, Is he who sings songs to 2a troubled heart.
21aIf 1your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
22For you will 1heap burning coals on his head, And athe LORD will reward you.
23The north wind brings forth rain, And a 1 abackbiting tongue, an angry countenance.
24It is abetter to live in a corner of the roof Than 1in a house shared with a contentious woman.
25Like cold water to a weary soul, So is agood news from a distant land.
26Like a atrampled spring and a 1polluted well Is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
27It is not good to eat much honey, Nor is it glory to asearch out 1one's own glory.
28Like a acity that is broken into and without walls Is a man bwho has no control over his spirit.