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¹ These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied:

² It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter. ³ As the heavens for height and the earth for depth, So the heart of kings is unsearchable.

⁴ Take away the dross from silver, And it will go to the silversmith for jewelry. ⁵ Take away the wicked from before the king, And his throne will be established in righteousness.

⁶ Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king, And do not stand in the place of the great; ⁷ For it is better 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 hears it expose your shame, And your reputation be ruined.

¹¹ A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold In settings of silver. ¹² Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold Is a wise rebuker to an obedient ear.

¹³ Like the cold of snow in time of harvest Is a faithful messenger to those who send him, For he refreshes the soul of his masters.

¹⁴ Whoever falsely boasts of giving Is like clouds 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 Is like a club, a sword, and a sharp arrow.

¹⁹ Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble Is like a bad tooth and a foot out of joint.

²⁰ Like one who takes away a garment in cold weather, And like vinegar on soda, Is one who sings 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 For so you will heap coals of fire on his head, And the LORD will reward you.

²³ The north wind brings forth rain, And a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.

²⁴ It is better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.

²⁵ As cold water to a weary soul, So is good news from a far country.

²⁶ A righteous man who falters before the wicked Is like a murky spring and a polluted well.

²⁷ It is not good to eat much honey; So to seek one's own glory is not glory.

²⁸ Whoever has no rule over his own spirit Is like a city broken down, without walls.