Verse 1
These are also proverbs{H4912} of Solomon{H8010}, which the men{H582} of Hezekiah{H2396} king{H4428} of Judah{H3063} copied out{H6275}{(H8689)}.
Verse 2
It is the glory{H3519} of God{H430} to conceal{H5641}{(H8687)} a thing{H1697}: but the honour{H3519} of kings{H4428} is to search out{H2713}{(H8800)} a matter{H1697}.
Verse 3
The heaven{H8064} for height{H7312}, and the earth{H776} for depth{H6011}, and the heart{H3820} of kings{H4428} is unsearchable{H2714}.
Verse 4
Take away{H1898}{(H8800)} the dross{H5509} from the silver{H3701}, and there shall come forth{H3318}{(H8799)} a vessel{H3627} for the finer{H6884}{(H8802)}.
Verse 5
Take away{H1898}{(H8800)} the wicked{H7563} from before{H6440} the king{H4428}, and his throne{H3678} shall be established{H3559}{(H8735)} in righteousness{H6664}.
Verse 6
Put not forth{H1921}{(H8691)} thyself in the presence{H6440} of the king{H4428}, and stand{H5975}{(H8799)} not in the place{H4725} of great{H1419} men:
Verse 7
For better{H2896} it is that it be said{H559}{(H8800)} unto thee, Come up{H5927}{(H8798)} hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower{H8213}{(H8687)} in the presence{H6440} of the prince{H5081} whom thine eyes{H5869} have seen{H7200}{(H8804)}.
Verse 8
Go not forth{H3318}{(H8799)} hastily{H4118} to strive{H7378}{(H8800)}, lest thou know not what to do{H6213}{(H8799)} in the end{H319} thereof, when thy neighbour{H7453} hath put thee to shame{H3637}{(H8687)}.
Verse 9
Debate{H7378}{(H8798)} thy cause{H7379} with thy neighbour{H7453} himself; and discover{H1540}{(H8762)} not a secret{H5475} to another{H312}:
Verse 10
Lest he that heareth{H8085}{(H8802)} it put thee to shame{H2616}{(H8762)}, and thine infamy{H1681} turn not away{H7725}{(H8799)}.
Verse 11
A word{H1697} fitly{H212}{(H8675)}{H655} spoken{H1696}{(H8803)} is like apples{H8598} of gold{H2091} in pictures{H4906} of silver{H3701}.
Verse 12
As an earring{H5141} of gold{H2091}, and an ornament{H2481} of fine gold{H3800}, so is a wise{H2450} reprover{H3198}{(H8688)} upon an obedient{H8085}{(H8802)} ear{H241}.
Verse 13
As the cold{H6793} of snow{H7950} in the time{H3117} of harvest{H7105}, so is a faithful{H539}{(H8737)} messenger{H6735} to them that send{H7971}{(H8802)} him: for he refresheth{H7725}{(H8686)} the soul{H5315} of his masters{H113}.
Verse 14
Whoso{H376} boasteth{H1984}{(H8693)} himself of a false{H8267} gift{H4991} is like clouds{H5387} and wind{H7307} without rain{H1653}.
Verse 15
By long{H753} forbearing{H639} is a prince{H7101} persuaded{H6601}{(H8792)}, and a soft{H7390} tongue{H3956} breaketh{H7665}{(H8799)} the bone{H1634}.
Verse 16
Hast thou found{H4672}{(H8804)} honey{H1706}? eat{H398}{(H8798)} so much as is sufficient{H1767} for thee, lest thou be filled{H7646}{(H8799)} therewith, and vomit{H6958}{(H8689)} it.
Verse 17
Withdraw{H3365}{(H8685)} thy foot{H7272} from thy neighbour's{H7453} house{H1004}; lest he be weary{H7646}{(H8799)} of thee, and so hate{H8130}{(H8804)} thee.
Verse 18
A man{H376} that beareth{H6030}{(H8802)} false{H8267} witness{H5707} against his neighbour{H7453} is a maul{H4650}, and a sword{H2719}, and a sharp{H8150}{(H8802)} arrow{H2671}.
Verse 19
Confidence{H4009} in an unfaithful man{H898}{(H8802)} in time{H3117} of trouble{H6869} is like a broken{H7465} tooth{H8127}, and a foot{H7272} out of joint{H4154}.
Verse 20
As he that taketh away{H5710}{(H8688)} a garment{H899} in cold{H7135} weather{H3117}, and as vinegar{H2558} upon nitre{H5427}, so is he that singeth{H7891}{(H8802)} songs{H7892} to an heavy{H7451} heart{H3820}.
Verse 21
If thine enemy{H8130}{(H8802)} be hungry{H7457}, give him bread{H3899} to eat{H398}{(H8685)}; and if he be thirsty{H6771}, give him water{H4325} to drink{H8248}{(H8685)}:
Verse 22
For thou shalt heap{H2846}{(H8802)} coals of fire{H1513} upon his head{H7218}, and the LORD{H3068} shall reward{H7999}{(H8762)} thee.
Verse 23
The north{H6828} wind{H7307} driveth away{H2342}{(H8787)} rain{H1653}: so doth an angry{H2194}{(H8737)} countenance{H6440} a backbiting{H5643} tongue{H3956}.
Verse 24
It is better{H2896} to dwell{H3427}{(H8800)} in the corner{H6438} of the housetop{H1406}, than with a brawling{H4079}{(H8675)}{H4066} woman{H802} and in a wide{H2267} house{H1004}.
Verse 25
As cold{H7119} waters{H4325} to a thirsty{H5889} soul{H5315}, so is good{H2896} news{H8052} from a far{H4801} country{H776}.
Verse 26
A righteous{H6662} man falling down{H4131}{(H8801)} before{H6440} the wicked{H7563} is as a troubled{H7515}{(H8737)} fountain{H4599}, and a corrupt{H7843}{(H8716)} spring{H4726}.
Verse 27
It is not good{H2896} to eat{H398}{(H8800)} much{H7235}{(H8687)} honey{H1706}: so for men to search{H2714} their own glory{H3519} is not glory{H3519}.
Verse 28
He{H376} that hath no rule{H4623} over his own spirit{H7307} is like a city{H5892} that is broken down{H6555}{(H8803)}, and without walls{H2346}.