Further Wise Sayings of Solomon

25 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 goldIn settings of silver.¹² Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine goldIs a wise rebuker to an obedient ear.

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

¹⁴ Whoever falsely boasts of givingIs 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 neighborIs like a club, a sword, and a sharp arrow.

¹⁹ Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of troubleIs 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 wickedIs 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 spiritIs like a city broken down, without walls.