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

<>proverbs … copied

2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.

<>It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, <>the honour of kings is to search out a matter, <>honour

3 The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.

<>The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, <>the heart of kings is unsearchable

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

<>vessel

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

<>Take away the wicked from before the king

6 Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men:

<>vv. 6-7

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

<>vv. 6-7

8 Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.

<>v. 8, <>Go not forth hastily to strive, <>strive

9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another:

<>v. 9, <>discover

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

11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.

<>v. 11

12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.

<>v. 12, <>fine gold, <>reprover

13 As 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.

<>harvest, <>refresheth

14 Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.

<>v. 14, <>boasteth, <>rain

15 By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.

<>By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, <>a soft tongue breaketh the bone

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

<>v. 16, <>honey, <>eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it, <>eat so much as is sufficient for thee

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

<>weary

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

<>beareth false witness

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

<>Confidence

20 As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.

<>v. 20, <>he that taketh away a garment, <>garment, <>nitre

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

<>vv. 21-22, <>bread, <>thirsty

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

<>vv. 21-22

23 The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.

<>v. 23, <>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.

<>v. 24

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.

<>It is not good to eat much honey, <>for men to search their own glory is not glory

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

<>v. 28, <>city