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¹ These are also Prouerbes of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Iudah copied out.

² It is the glory of God to conceale a thing: but the honour of Kings is to search out a matter. ³ The heauen for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of Kings is vnsearchable.

⁴ Take away the drosse from the siluer, and there shall come foorth a vessell for the finer. ⁵ Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shalbe established in righteousnes.

⁶ Put not forth thy selfe in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men. ⁷ For better it is that it be said vnto thee, Come vp hither; then that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the Prince whom thine eies haue seene.

⁸ Goe not forth hastily to striue, lest thou know not what to doe in the ende thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame. ⁹ Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himselfe; and discouer not a secret to another: ¹⁰ Lest he that heareth it, put thee to shame, and thine infamie turne not away.

¹¹ A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of siluer. ¹² As an eare-ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprouer vpon an obedient eare.

¹³ As the cold of snow in the time of haruest, so is a faithfull messenger to them that send him: for hee refresheth the soule of his masters.

¹⁴ Who so boasteth himselfe of a false gift, is like cloudes and winde without raine.

¹⁵ By long forbearing is a Prince perswaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.

¹⁶ Hast thou found hony? eate so much as is sufficient for thee: lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.

¹⁷ Withdraw thy foote from thy neighbours house: lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.

¹⁸ A man that beareth false witnes against his neighbour, is a maule, and a sword, and a sharpe arrow.

¹⁹ Confidence in an vnfaithfull man in time of trouble, is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of ioynt.

²⁰ As hee that taketh away a garment in cold weather; and as vineger vpon nitre; so is he that singeth songs to an heauy heart.

²¹ If thine enemie be hungry, giue him bread to eate: and if hee be thirstie, giue him water to drinke. ²² For thou shalt heape coales of fire vpon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee.

²³ The North winde driueth away raine: so doeth an angrie countenance a backbiting tongue.

²⁴ It is better to dwell in a corner of the house top, then with a brawling woman, and in a wide house.

²⁵ As cold waters to a thirstie soule: so is good newes from a farre countrey.

²⁶ A righteous man falling downe before the wicked, is as a troubled fountaine, aud a corrupt spring.

²⁷ It is not good to eat much hony: so for men to search their owne glory, is not glory.

²⁸ Hee that hath no rule ouer his owne spirit, is like a citie that is broken downe, and without walles.