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¹ These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.

² It is the glory of God to conceal a thing; 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 the silver, And there comes forth a vessel for the refiner:⁵ Take away the wicked [from] before the king, And his throne shall be established in righteousness.

⁶ Don't put yourself forward in the presence of the king, And don't stand in the place of great men:⁷ For it is better that it is said to you, Come up here, Than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince, Whom your eyes have seen.

⁸ Don't hastily bring [it] to court, Or else what will you do in the end thereof, When your neighbor has put you to shame.⁹ Debate your cause with your neighbor [himself], And don't disclose the secret of another;¹⁰ Or else he that hears it will revile you, And your infamy will not turn away.

¹¹ A word fitly spoken Is [like] apples of gold in network of silver.¹² [As] an ear-ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, [So is] a wise reprover on an obedient ear.

¹³ As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, [So is] a faithful messenger to those that send him; For he refreshes the soul of his masters.

¹⁴ [As] clouds and wind without rain, [So is] he that boasts himself of his gifts falsely.

¹⁵ By long forbearing is a ruler persuaded, And a soft tongue breaks the bone.

¹⁶ Have you found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for you, Or else you will be filled therewith, and vomit it.

¹⁷ Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house, Or else he will be weary of you, and hate you.

¹⁸ A man that bears false witness against his neighbor Is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.

¹⁹ Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble Is [like] a crumbling tooth, and an unsteady foot.

²⁰ [As] vinegar on lye, and [as] smoke for the eyes, So is he that 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 you will heap coals of fire on his head, And Yahweh will reward you.

²³ The north wind brings forth rain: So does a backbiting tongue an angry countenance.

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

²⁵ [As] cold waters to a thirsty soul, So is good news from a far country.

²⁶ [As] a troubled fountain, and a corrupted spring, [So is] a righteous man that gives way before the wicked.

²⁷ It is not good to eat much honey: And searching out their glory is glory.

²⁸ He whose spirit is without restraint Is [like] a city that is broken down and without walls.