1. These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
2. It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
3. The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4. Take away the dross from the silver, and there cometh forth a vessel for the finer:
5. Take away the wicked {cf15i from} before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.
6. Put not thyself forward in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men:
7. For better is it 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.
8. Go not forth hastily to strive, lest {cf15i thou know not} what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.
9. Debate thy cause with thy neighbour {cf15i himself}, and disclose not the secret of another:
10. Lest he that heareth it revile thee, and thine infamy turn not away.
11. A word fitly spoken is {cf15i like} apples of gold in baskets of silver.
12. {cf15i As} an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, {cf15i so is} a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.
13. As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, {cf15i so is} a faithful messenger to them that send him; for he refresheth the soul of his masters.
14. {cf15i As} clouds and wind without rain, {cf15i so is} he that boasteth himself of his gifts falsely.
15. By long forbearing is a ruler persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.
16. Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee; lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.
17. Let thy foot be seldom in thy neighbour�s house; lest he be weary of thee, and hate thee.
18. A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
19. Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is {cf15i like} a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
20. {cf15i As} one that taketh off a garment in cold weather, {cf15i and as} vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.
21. If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
22. For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.
23. The north wind bringeth forth rain: so doth a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.
24. It is better to dwell in the comer of the housetop, than with a contentious woman in a wide house.
25. {cf15i As} cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
26. {cf15i As} a troubled fountain, and a corrupted spring, {cf15i so is} a righteous man that giveth way before the wicked.
27. It is not good to eat much honey: so {cf15i for men} to search out their own glory is {cf15i not} glory.
28. He whose spirit is without restraint is {cf15i like} a city that is broken down and hath no wall.