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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 (a)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 (b)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.^[a]

²⁸ If you cannot control your anger, you are as helpless as a city without walls, open to attack.