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¹ These also are wise sayings of Solomon, which were written down by the men of Hezekiah, king of Judah.

² It is the greatness of God to keep things hidden, but it is the greatness of kings to find things out. ³ As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the heart of kings is more than can be known. ⁴ Take away the waste from the silver, and a silver pot comes out for the workman. ⁵ Take the sinful away from the king, and his throne will stand on what is right and good. ⁶ Do not honor yourself in front of the king, and do not stand in the place of great men. ⁷ For it is better to be told, "Come up here," than to be put down in front of the ruler whom your eyes have seen.

⁸ Do not go out in a hurry to argue. Or what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame? ⁹ Argue your side of the problem with your neighbor, but do not tell the secret of another. ¹⁰ Or he who hears you may put you to shame, and bad things will be said about you forever.

¹¹ A word spoken at the right time is like fruit of gold set in silver.

¹² A wise man speaking strong words to a listening ear is like a piece of gold for the ear and a beautiful object of fine gold.

¹³ A faithful man who carries news is like the cold of snow at gathering time to those who send him, for he makes the spirit of his owners feel new again.

¹⁴ A man who talks much of a gift he never gives is like clouds and wind without rain. ¹⁵ When one is slow to anger, a ruler may be won over. A gentle tongue will break a bone.

¹⁶ Have you found honey? Eat only what you need, or you may become filled with it and spit it up.

¹⁷ Do not let your foot be in your neighbor's house too much, or he may become tired of you and hate you.

¹⁸ A man who tells a lie against his neighbor is like a heavy stick or a sword or a sharp arrow.

¹⁹ In time of trouble, trusting in a man who is not faithful is like a bad tooth or a foot out of joint.

²⁰ He who sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a coat on a cold day, or like sour wine poured on soda.

²¹ If the one who hates you is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him water. ²² If you do that, you will be making him more ashamed of himself, and the Lord will reward you.

²³ The north wind brings rain, and a tongue that hurts people brings angry looks.

²⁴ It is better to live in a corner of the roof than in a house shared with an arguing woman.

²⁵ Good news from a land far away is like cold water to a tired soul.

²⁶ A man who does what is right but gives way in front of the sinful, is like a well of mud or poisoned water.

²⁷ It is not good to eat much honey, and looking for honor is not good.

²⁸ A man who cannot rule his own spirit is like a city whose walls are broken down.