1These also are the sayings(proverbs) of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah gathered together.
2It is the honour of God to keep a thing secret, but the king's honour is to search out a thing.
3The heaven is high, the earth is deep, and the kings' heart is unsearchable.
4Take the dross from the silver, and there shall be a clean vessel thereof.
5Take away ungodliness from the king, and his seat shall be stablished with righteousness.
6Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and prease not into the place of great men.
7Better it is that it be said unto thee: Come up hither, than thou to be set down in the presence of the prince whom thou seest with thine eyes.
8Be not hasty to go to the law, lest happily thou order thyself so that at the last, that thy neighbour put thee to shame.
9Handle thy matter with thy neighbour himself, and discover not another man's secret:
10lest when men hear thereof, it turn to thy dishonour, and lest thine evil name do not cease.
11A word spoken in due season, is like apples of gold in a silver dish.
12The correction of the wise is to an obedient ear, a golden chain and a Jewel of gold.
13Like as the winter cool in the harvest, so is a faithful messenger to him that sent him, and refresheth his master's mind.
14Whoso maketh great boasts and giveth nothing, is like clouds and wind without rain.
15With patience may a prince be pacified, and with a soft tongue may rigorousness be broken.
16If thou findest honey, eat so much as is sufficient for thee: lest thou be over full, and perbreak it out again.
17Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house, lest he be weary of thee, and so abhor thee.
18Who so beareth false witness against his neighbour, he is a very spear, a sword, and a sharp arrow.
19The hope of the ungodly in time of need, is like a rotten tooth and a slippery foot.
20Who so singeth a song to a wicked heart, clotheth him with rags in the cold, and poureth vinegar upon chalk.
21If thine enemy hunger, feed him: if he thirst, give him drink:
22For so shalt thou heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.
23The north wind driveth away the rain, even so doth an earnest sober countenance a backbiter's tongue.
24It is better to sit in a corner under the roof, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.
25A good report out of a far country, is like cold water to a thirsty soul.
26A righteous man falling down before the ungodly, is like a troubled well and a spring that is destroyed.
27Like as it is not good to eat too much honey, even so he that will search out high things, it shall be too heavy for him.
28He that can not rule himself, is like a city which is broken down, and hath no walls.