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

² [It is] the glory of God to conceal the word, but the honour of kings [is] to search out the word.

³ For the height of the heavens and depth of the earth and for the heart of kings, there is no investigation.

⁴ Take away the dross from the silver, and a vessel shall come forth for the finer.

⁵ Take away the wicked [from] before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.

⁶ Do not praise thyself in the presence of the king, and do not stand in the place of great [men];

⁷ for [it is] better that it be said unto thee, Come up here than that thou should be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.

⁸ Do not go forth hastily to strive lest [thou know not] what to do in the end thereof when thy neighbour has put thee to shame.

⁹ Debate thy cause with thy neighbour [himself] and do not uncover the secret to another

¹⁰ lest he that hears [it] put thee to shame and thine infamy not turn away.

¹¹ A word fitly spoken [is like] apples of gold inscribed with silver.

¹² [As] an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold, [so is] he who reproves a wise man who has a docile 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 master.

¹⁴ Whosoever boasts in a gift of falsehood [is like] clouds and wind without rain.

¹⁵ By long forbearing a prince is persuaded, and a soft tongue breaks the bones.

¹⁶ Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.

¹⁷ Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house lest he be weary of thee and [so] hate thee.

¹⁸ A man that bears false witness against his neighbour [is] a maul and a sword and a sharp arrow.

¹⁹ Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble [is like] a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.

²⁰ As he that takes away a garment in cold weather [and as] vinegar upon soap, so [is] he that sings songs to a heavy heart.

²¹ If thy enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,

²² for thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.

²³ The north wind drives away rain, so [does] an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.

²⁴ [It is] better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.

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

²⁶ A righteous man falling down before the wicked [is as] a troubled fountain and a corrupt spring.

²⁷ [It is] not good to eat much honey, so [for men] to search their own glory [is not] glory.

²⁸ The man whose spirit has no restraint [is like] a city [that is] broken down [and] without walls.: