¹ These are more proverbs of Solomon, copied by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:

    ² It is the glory of God to conceal a matter;
       to search out a matter is the glory of kings.

    ³ As the heavens are high and the earth is deep,
       so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.

    ⁴ Remove the dross from the silver,
       and out comes material for¹ the silversmith;

    ⁵ remove the wicked from the king's presence,
       and his throne will be established through righteousness.

    ⁶ Do not exalt yourself in the king's presence,
       and do not claim a place among great men;

    ⁷ it is better for him to say to you, "Come up here,"
       than for him to humiliate you before a nobleman.
       What you have seen with your eyes

    ⁸ do not bring² hastily to court,
       for what will you do in the end
       if your neighbor puts you to shame?

    ⁹ If you argue your case with a neighbor,
       do not betray another man's confidence,

    ¹⁰ or he who hears it may shame you
       and you will never lose your bad reputation.

    ¹¹ A word aptly spoken
       is like apples of gold in settings of silver.

    ¹² Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold
       is a wise man's rebuke to a listening ear.

    ¹³ Like the coolness of snow at harvest time
       is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him;
       he refreshes the spirit of his masters.

    ¹⁴ Like clouds and wind without rain
       is a man who boasts of gifts he does not give.

    ¹⁵ Through patience a ruler can be persuaded,
       and a gentle tongue can break a bone.

    ¹⁶ If you find honey, eat just enough—
       too much of it, and you will vomit.

    ¹⁷ Seldom set foot in your neighbor's house—
       too much of you, and he will hate you.

    ¹⁸ Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow
       is the man who gives false testimony against his neighbor.

    ¹⁹ Like a bad tooth or a lame foot
       is reliance on the unfaithful in times of trouble.

    ²⁰ Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day,
       or like vinegar poured on soda,
       is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.

    ²¹ If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;
       if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.

    ²² In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head,
       and the LORD will reward you.

    ²³ As a north wind brings rain,
       so a sly tongue brings angry looks.

    ²⁴ Better to live on a corner of the roof
       than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.

    ²⁵ Like cold water to a weary soul
       is good news from a distant land.

    ²⁶ Like a muddied spring or a polluted well
       is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked.

    ²⁷ It is not good to eat too much honey,
       nor is it honorable to seek one's own honor.

    ²⁸ Like a city whose walls are broken down
       is a man who lacks self-control.

Footnotes:

1 verse 4  Or comes a vessel from

2 verse 8  Or nobleman / on whom you had set your eyes. / 8 Do not go