¶ These are also proverbs¹ of Solomon, which² the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.

¶ It is the glory³ of God to conceal a thing: but the honour⁴ of kings is to search out a matter.

The heaven⁵ for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable⁶.

¶⁷Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.

Take away⁸ the wicked from before the king, and his⁹ throne shall be established in righteousness.

¶ Put not forth thyself¹⁰ in the presence¹¹ of the king, and stand not in the place of great men:

For better it is that it¹² be said unto thee, Come¹³ up hither; than¹⁴ that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.

¶ Go not forth hastily¹⁵ to strive, lest thou know not what¹⁶ to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.

Debate thy cause with¹⁷ thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another¹⁸:

¶ Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine¹⁹ infamy turn not away.

¶ A word²⁰ fitly spoken²¹ is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.

As an earring²² of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise²³ reprover upon an obedient ear.

¶²⁴As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.

¶ Whoso boasteth²⁵ himself of a false gift²⁶ is like clouds and wind without rain.

¶ By long²⁷ forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone²⁸.

¶ Hast²⁹ thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest³⁰ thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.

¶ Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's³¹ house; lest he be weary³² of thee, and so hate thee.

¶³³A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.

¶³⁴Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.

¶ As he that taketh³⁵ away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar³⁶ upon nitre, so³⁷ is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.

¶³⁸If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:

For³⁹ thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD⁴⁰ shall reward thee.

¶ The north⁴¹ wind driveth⁴² away rain: so⁴³ doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.

¶⁴⁴It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.

¶ As cold⁴⁵ waters to a thirsty soul, so⁴⁶ is good news from a far country.

¶⁴⁷A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.

¶ It is not good⁴⁸ to eat much honey: so⁴⁹ for men to search their own glory is not glory.

¶⁵⁰He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.