Further Wise Sayings of Solomon
1 Thesealsoareproverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied:
2 Itisthe glory of God to conceal a matter,
But the glory of kingsisto search out a matter.
3 Asthe heavens for height and the earth for depth,
So the heart of kingsisunsearchable.
4 Take away the dross from silver,
And it will go to the silversmithforjewelry.
5 Take away the wicked from before the king,
# And his throne will be established inrighteousness.
6 Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king,
And do not stand in the place of the great;
7 Foritisbetter that he say to you,
“Come up here,”
Than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince,
Whom your eyes have seen.
8 Do not go hastily to court;
For what will you do in the end,
When your neighbor has put you to shame?
9 Debate your case with your neighbor,
And do not disclose the secret to another;
10 Lest he who hearsitexpose your shame,
And your reputation be ruined.
11 A word fitlyspokenislikeapples of gold
In settings of silver.
12 Likean earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold
Isa wise rebuker to an obedient ear.
13 Like the cold of snow in time of harvest
Isa faithful messenger to those who send him,
For he refreshes the soul of his masters.
14 Whoever falsely boasts of giving
# Islikeclouds and wind without rain.
15 By long forbearance a ruler is persuaded,
And a gentle tongue breaks a bone.
16 Have you found honey?
Eat only as much as you need,
Lest you be filled with it and vomit.
17 Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house,
Lest he become weary of you and hate you.
18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor
Islikea club, a sword, and a sharp arrow.
19 Confidence in an unfaithfulmanin time of trouble
Islikea bad tooth and a foot out of joint.
20 Likeone who takes away a garment in cold weather,
Andlikevinegar on soda,
# Isone whosings songs to a heavy heart.
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat;
And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
22 Forsoyou will heap coals of fire on his head,
# And theLordwill reward you.
23 The north wind brings forth rain,
# Anda backbiting tongue an angry countenance.
24 Itisbetter to dwell in a corner of a housetop,
Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.
25 Ascold water to a weary soul,
# Soisgood news from a far country.
26 A righteousmanwho falters before the wicked
Islikea murky spring and a polluted well.
27 Itisnot good to eat much honey;
# Soto seek one’s own gloryisnotglory.
28 Whoeverhasno rule over his own spirit
Islikea city broken down, without walls.